
Class IM 10 SIX 
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COPVRIGHT DEPOSIT 



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SAMUEr^ BACON BARNITZ. 



g>amuri larctt larmtj 



MISSIONARY AND 
WESTERN SECRETARY 



Att Apprwtattott 

,.\..BY... 

REV. W: E. PARSON, D. D. 



BURLINGTON. IOWA 

THE GERMAN LITERARY BOARD 

1905 






LIBRARY of CONGRESS 
Two Copies Received 

DEC 1 1905 

Copyright Entry 

JUS(S c*- XXc. No. 

COPY B. 



.Cop 
CLASS 



Copyright 1905 

by 
R. NEUMANN 
Burlington, Iowa 



Press of 

Severinghaus & Beilfuss Company 

Chicago, III. 



TO THE 

ifhot^Ji iitaatonarifa 

IN OUR HOME FIKLD^ 
AND TO the: NOBLE BANDS THAT MAKE) THE WoMAN^S 

Home and Foreign Missionary Society 
OF THE Lutheran Church^ this 

SKETCH is dedicated. 



''Your fathers proved me, and saw my 
zvorks forty years/' — Hebrews. 



FOREWORD. 

In our day there is a cry made for the simple 
Hfe. There are others who show us the strenuous 
hfe. It is possible for the two types to be blended in 
the same personality. The subject of this sketch lived 
a strenuous life, yet so little occupied with thoughts 
of public recognition that it has been difficult to find 
the m.aterials for a connected biographical story. Dr. 
Barnitz has shown the church an example of simple 
faith combined with a remarkable activity. The ac- 
count herewith submitted is partial, but it will serve 
to hint the devotion and rich labors of one who ''being 
dead yet speaketh." 

The author of the Simple Life has said : ''If a 
man, in his humble sphere, in the midst of the ignor- 
ance and faults that are his inevitably, consecrates 
himself sincerely to his task, it is because he is in 
contact with the eternal source of goodness." 

By that token we have in the life of Doctor Sam- 
uel B. Barnitz an illustration of contact with God 
conspicuous and singular. 

It was deemed best to allow Dr. Barnitz to tell 
a good deal of the story in his own graphic way. 
Hence the very free quotations from letters, journals, 
and reports. It would have been interesting to have 



o j^'ore:word. 

come upon the address which he frequently dehvered, 
"Twenty Years in a City Mission", but there was 
no memorandum of it remaining. Many who had 
heard the lecture, moved by the alternating pathos and 
humor of it, would have been glad to see it set out 
in type. 

Believing that there is an incentive value for 
others in all consecrated work, this brief sketch of one 
of God's devoted servants is given to his friends and 
to the Church. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER I. 

BIRTH AND EARLY YE^ARS 17 

His parents — Boyhood struggles — At the public 
school — Acts as porter — Clerk in store — Con- 
Urmation — First drawings to the Ministry — First 
public prayer. 

CHAPTER n. 

STARTING FOR COIvIvKGE) 27, 

Call to the Ministry — More trials — Prayer an- 
swered — Enters college — Active in Christian 
Work — Health breaks — Enters Theological Sem- 
inary — Walks to Niagara. 

CHAPTER HI. 

AS HIS FRIENDS SAW HIM AT COIvLEGE 29 

Dr. Groh's Letter — Dr. Baugher, the elder — 
Fears for his oivn ability — Reassured — Dr. Lilly's 
testimony — Popularity among the students — 
Sanctified humor. 

7 



8 TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER IV. 

LEAVING GETTYSBURG 33 

Revival Work — Visits Philadelphia — Meets Geo, 
H. Stuart — Chaplain at Lutherville — Anxiety — 
about settlement — Dark days — Trial sermons — 
Dr. Stork's call — Dr. Butler's Assistant — Returns 
to York. 

CHAPTER V. 

CALL TO WHEELING 38 

Three Life Periods — Dr. Baum suggests Wheel- 
ing — Dr. Passavant — Accepts Call — Barly Days 
at Wheeling — The Civil War — First Sunday — • 
friends — Dr. Bang her, Jr., his Assistant — Sun- 
day School Work — Mission conditions. 

CHAPTER VI. 

METHODS AT WHEELING 45 

First Orphan Work — No Barly Records — First 
converts — Reviezv of Four Years — Summing up 
Results — Buys Lot — Lays corner-stone — Dr. F. 
W. Conrad — Eighteen Years Toil — A Second 
Mission. 



TABlvE) OI' CONTENTS. 9 

CHAPTER VII. 

AN OLD-FASHIONKD DIARY 53 

Laments unworthiness — Division of General 
Synod — Prays for the young men — Visits Jail 
— Sermon Writing — Despondent — School Grows 
— Declines society — Visits Nezu York — Longs 
for a Church — Twenty-nine — Sent to Montreal 
— At York and Gettysburg. 

CHAPTER Vni. 

AN IMPARTIAL, ESTIMATE) 65 

N earing the End at Wheeling — Relation to the 
Railways — Elements of Success — Permanence — 
Timely Help — Benevolence — Collections — Spec- 
ial Contributions — Churchliness — Loyalty — 
Catholicity — Philanthropy — Enterprise. 

CHAPTER IX. 

TRACT NO. 217 71 

Pen Picture — Mrs. Dr. Heilman — Greatest Sun- 
day School — Sunday ministrations — Praying for 
bricks — Stays panic — Secret of his success. 



10 TABtE OF CONTe:nTS. 

CHAPTER X. 

CAIvIv^D AS WESTI^RN SHCRE^TARY 75 

Wider Field — Farewell to Wheeling — Disclaims 
merit — Ministerial Sons — First Report to Board 
— Des Moines — Eleven times elected — Twenty 
Years in Held. 

CHAPTER XL 

A MODEly SE;CRE:TARY 8o 

A Mission Napoleon — Railway Methods — His 
Reports — Day of Small Things — Used the News- 
paper — Plans for a Mission Journey — Relations 
to General Council — Advocates College and Sem- 
inary on His Field — Dr. Clutz's Testimony — 
Board of Education — In Washington — Other 
Services — Declines other calls. 

CHAPTER Xn. 
A mode:iv se:cre:tary's re:port 87 

Monthly Reports — Material for Historical So- 
ciety — One at Random — Kansas — Missouri — 
Rocky Mountain Synod — Scandinavian Items — 
Colorado Springs — Pueblo — Nebraska — Illinois 
— Indiana — lozva — Miscellaneous. 



tabive: o^ contents. II 

CHAPTER XIII. 

IN WEARINESS AND PAIN^ULNESS IO4 

Overwork — Longs for Rest — Travels to Minne- 
sota to answer a letter — Rich Return — A Blessed 
Trio — Apostolic Labors — Zions-Bote Notice — 
Posthumous Notes — Last Communion. 

CHAPTER XIV. 

HIS WORK IN CALII^ORNIA Ill 

Beginnings — Sacramento — Dr. Burnett's Testi- 
mony — Women's Societies — San Francisco — Los 
Angeles — Other Missions — Analysis of Dr. Bar- 
nitz's Character — The Bnd. 

CHAPTER XV. 

TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY II7 

General Synod at Des Moines — Committees — Re- 
ceptions — Services in St. John's — Dr. Nelander 
— Other Addresses — Crowning Day — Barnits 
Day. 

CHAPTER XVI. 

HIS LAST SERMON 122 

Whitsunday in Boulder — Facing Home — The 
Precious Name — The Victor's Crown — Going 



12 table: of conte:nts. 

Home — Denver Memorial — A Great Gap — Two 
Secretaries take His Field. 

CHAPTER XVIL 

DR. BARNITZ IN THE PE^W I26 

Dr. Wirfs Tribute — Pastor and Parishioner — 
Punctual in attendance — Liberal Contributor — 
Example to all — His Prayers — Addresses to the 
Sunday School — Funeral Sermon. 

CHAPTER XVHL 

A NOTABI.E: CORRESPONDENCE I34 

AFaithful Correspondent — Mrs. Bmma B. Stork 
— Dead yet Speaketh — Thanksgiving — Mercies 
Recalled — Wheeling revived — California — Faster 
— In an Adobe House — Labors Abundant — 
Moody recalled — Charles Stork. 

CHAPTER XIX. 

GREAT DAYS IN CHICAGO, WHEEUNG, ETC I42 

A Platform Orator — Conventions — Montreal — 
Washington — Chicago — Columbus — Wheeling — 
Nezv York — Dr. Schmucker's Appeal — Liberal- 
ity. 



table; of conte:nts. 13 

CHAPTER XX. 

SNAP SHOTS FROM THE FIELD 147 

Winter and Famine — Requisites in a Mission- 
ary — Expense Account — Des Moines — Portland 
— Sacramento — Chicago — Hamma Hall — Varied 
Extracts from Reports — Conclusion. 



CHAPTER XXL 

DR. BARNITZ AND THE GERMANS I70 

Dr. Barnitz of German stock — His interest in 
German Synods — Dr. RosenstengeVs Editorial 
notice — Mr. StifeVs voluntary tribute. 



CHAPTER XXn. 

TRIBUTES OF ESTEEM 180 

Memorials — Dr. Rhodes — Dr. Troxell — Dr. 
Hamma — A. P. Pox — Dr. Hartman — Judge 
Grosscup — Dr. Heckert — Lutheran World — Ob- 
server — Evangelist — Dr. Heisler — Dr. Kelly — 
Dr. C. S. Albert — Dr. Schnur — Dr. Clutz — Mrs. 
Hamma — Mrs. Breckenridge — Dr. Wirt — Dr. 
Peschau — W. L. Seabrook — Hon. Thos. Dewey 
— Dr. Waltz — Dr. Dunbar — Dr. Wolf — Mr, 
Eckhardt— Memorial Services, 



14 TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XXIII. 

A woman's tribute i88 

Always promoting Women's Work — Death an- 
nounced — Memorial Services in Women's Con- 
vention — Bxeciitive Committee — Mrs. Maggart's 
Address — Estimate of Character — Incidents — 
A Hero — Dr. Otfs tribute. 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

Finale 198 

Family History — Loyalty — Death and Burial — 
Memorial Tablet in St. John's — His Life Text. 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 

/ 

Samuel Bacon Barnitz Frontispiece 

Dr. Barnitz in robe, 1861 35 ^ 

The Old Church at Wheeling 48^ 

Dr. Barnitz in 1867 62 ^ 

The Trio, Barnitz, Baugher, Goettman 72 

The Trio, after twenty-five years 82 ^ 

Headquarters in Des Moines g^y' 

St. John's Church, Des Moines 109 

The California Synod 115 

Dr. Barnitz in 1897 130 

Last Picture, taken by Pastor Oehler 165 



CHAPTER I. 

BIRTH AND ^ARI.Y YEJARS. 

Samuel Bacon Barnitz was born in York, PennsyU 
vania, May 12th, 1838. His father was Samuel M. 
Barnitz, a son of "General Jacob Barnitz, an officer of 
the Revolutionary War, who carried in his body an 
enemy's ball thirty-two years". So the monument in 
the old Lutheran church-yard at York records it. The 
mother of Samuel Barnitz was Sarah Demuth, daugh- 
ter of John Demuth, one of the earliest German set- 
tlers of Pennsylvania. This godly mother consecrated 
her son from earliest childhood to the service of the 
Master and the Church. The father was immersed in 
business, having a large legal practice in the courts of 
York, Lancaster, and Dauphin Counties. It was the 
mother's influence which determined the life and call- 
ing of the son. The family was early broken and scat- 
tered. First came the death of one brother, who was 
preparing to enter the ministry ; later a brother and 
sister were buried in one grave ; still later the father, 
after a lingering illness, died when the boy Samuel 
was but nine years of age. Then came the pinch of 
poverty, the reduced home, the small economies which 
left their impress upon the boy's whole after life. 



iB SAMUEL BACON BARNlTZ. 

Those who knew Dr. Barnitz in his later years will 
understand the complete democracy of spirit which al- 
ways moved him. He lived the simple life. He was 
born in a simple community, and the deprivations of 
his early life were part of the education which fitted 
him the better to do the work to which he was called 
of God. Often in the midst of his soul-moving ad- 
dresses he would exclaim, ''Thank God, I had a good 
mother!" She saw the coming poverty and prepared 
for it. She held the children together, moved into a 
smaller house, used her own patrimony in support of 
the little ones of the family, helping to meet later 
expenses in college and seminary. It is a story of 
parental sacrifice that has been often repeated in the 
families of preacher and missionary. 

The changes in family condition interrupted the 
boy Samuel's early education. Even the public school 
was too expensive a luxury. The modern custom of 
supplying the pupils with free books had not then 
been introduced. For lack of the required books, 
being unable to buy them, the boy was compelled to 
lose promotion. Yet he was made of the stuff that 
does not surrender to small difficulties, nor to great 
ones. He gathered bones on the public streets and 
alleys of York that he might buy the books for use in 
the public schools. Incredible as this may seem, it 
is a fact, the record of which remains in the hand- 



BIRTH AND KARLY YEARS. I9 

writing of Doctor Barnitz himself. What a com- 
mentary on the changes of fifty years ! An ambitious, 
self-reHant boy wilHng to do any honorable or honest 
work that he might get an education. Fortunately 
for him the city's sanitary regulations were not then 
inaugurated. He would buy few books with the bones 
he could now gather in the streets of York. Young 
Barnitz also acted as baggage porter that he might 
gather up a few dimes between school hours, and 
so be able to buy the books for the next term. This 
willingness to fetch and carry never forsook him 
through all his later life. He was always doing errands 
of good for others, carrying his own heavy valises 
often to save the church's money, counting no service 
too menial if he might thereby serve Christ. 

In the year 1853 when only fifteen years old, the 
boy Samuel left the public school to enter the dry 
goods store of his uncle, Alexander Demuth. This 
place as clerk in a country store was also part of the 
boy's education. Many a young man has graduated 
from the counter to become manager, owner, legis- 
lator, preacher. In his place as clerk, Samuel Barnitz 
was a positive Christian influence to all about him. 
He was of such a trustworthy character that he was 
enabled to do his full duty to his employer and to 
those who were older, and thereby rapidly gained 
promotion. One-third of his salary was annually left 
in the hands of his uncle, to be saved for the pro- 



20 SAMUE:i, bacon BARNITZ. 

verbial rainy day, so that in case of sickness or accident 
his mother might have something to depend upon. 

During all these years the religious education of 
the boy was not being neglected. He was a child of 
God from birth, like Timothy, knowing the Scriptures 
from his youth. He never knew the date of his earliest 
religious impressions. He often said that he did not 
know or remember a time when he did not feel a 
desire to love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ. In the 
Spring of 1856, when eighteen years old, Samuel 
Barnitz made a public profession of Christ's name 
through the ancient and honored Lutheran custom of 
confirmation. Though a child of God from birth and 
by baptism, not remembering a day when he was not 
consciously in accord with the gracious drawing of 
God's spirit, still he gathered new impulse of good 
from an open and avowed declaration of his purpose 
to live for the glory of God and the good of his fel- 
low men. From that day all things undertaken in 
God's name were always looked on by him as a tri- 
umphant success, even when they seemed to fail. Such 
is the contradiction of faith. 

This public confession of Christ occurred during 
the four years of service in the store of his uncle. It 
was then that he became deeply interested in the Bible 
and Sunday School cause. Then also came the first 
drawing towards the Christian ministry. He was a 
faithful clerk, but he was not satisfied as a clerk, feel- 



BIRTH AND E:ARI.Y YEARS. 21 

ing a desire for some sphere of usefulness that was 
not then disclosed to him. 

An enthusiastic young man of eighteen, he entered 
with all his soul into the then comparatively new form 
of Christian work known as the Young Men's Chris- 
tian Association. A daily prayer meeting was con- 
ducted, the leader of which was in his turn Samuel 
Barnitz. His efforts for the spiritual welfare of those 
around him were very greatly successful. In the 
religious revival which swept over the country in the 
year 1857 Samuel Barnitz took a deep interest. He 
dated his call to the ministry from that time. From 
the record which he made in after years this extract 
is of deep significance : 

"I love to recall the revival season of 1857, 
as in it God gave me unmistakable evidence of a 
call to give myself to His service in the ministry. 
Even then He permitted me to lead souls to the 
cross. Oh, distinguished honor for one so un- 
worthy ! Lord Jesus, keep me faithful !" 

The first prayer the lad Samuel ever made in pub- 
lic was long remembered in York. It moved the con- 
gregation to tears. The older members of the church 
knew the misfortune through which the family of 
the boy had passed, the death of the father, the strug- 
gles of the mother, and their sympathies were aroused 



2'2 SAMUEI. BACON BARNITZ. 

even to the melting of strong hearts. Many of the 
young companions of Barnitz in store, school, and 
church were at that time led to confess Christ before 
men. Thus early God gave His blessing to faithful 
testimony. 



CHAPTER 11. 

STARTING FOR COLLEGE:. 

The call to the ministry that came to Samuel Bar- 
nitz was of the old-fashioned kind. He was not in any 
doubt about it. The Lord had truly called, as He 
called the other Samuel in the ancient days. The 
call came not with audible voice out of the sky, nor 
in supernatural fashion in the night, but none the less 
was it deemed a call of God direct, unmistakable, that 
dare not be resisted. He had neither rest nor peace 
until he fully yielded and said — ''Here, Lord, take me, 
and send me, and use me for Thine own glory, and the 
good of my fellow creatures." Immediately, in con- 
sequence of this deep conviction, he left the store of 
his uncle to enter upon a course of preparatory study 
at the York County Academy, looking to a full course 
at Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg, Pa. During the 
time of study at this Academy the embryo preacher 
began to preach and conduct meetings in the waste 
places, visiting the alms house, and helping as God 
opened the way in every kind of Christian work. 
There were dark hours just a little in advance, but 
the boy was unaware, and went forward courageously. 

In the Spring of 1858, the arrangements were all 



24 SAMUElv BACON BARNITZ. 

completed for entering the College at Gettysburg. 
His delicate mother had prepared with her own feeble 
hands the clothing outfit such as the boy required 
during the college term. Then was the heart of the 
youthful candidate cast down by the clouds of thick 
darkness which fell in one night. His entire wardrobe 
was stolen and was never recovered. Must the young 
man go back to the store, or even carry baggage again ? 
We can assume that the diligence that characterized 
the man was then active in the boy, and there were 
likely no bones left in the streets of York to be col- 
lected. 

The money loss of the clothing was very con- 
siderable. Yet it was but the beginning of troubles, 
a kind of preparation for something more severe. The 
uncle, Alexander Demuth, was unfortunate in busi- 
ness, and in February, 1858, Samuel Barnitz and his 
mother were left without a dollar. All that had been 
so carefully reserved during the four years in the 
store, intended now for his education, all that his 
mother had received from her father's estate, was 
swept away from them in the moment they seemed 
most to need it. The perplexity and darkness of that 
hour for loving mother and devoted son, only those 
two disappointed hearts could ever know. They 
called on God in prayer, asking for light in their dark- 
ness. 

Nothing of cant or fanaticism ever entered into 



STARTING FOR COLLEGIA. 25 

the religious experience of Samuel Barnitz. He was 
thoroughly practical in his ideas of prayer as in all 
other forms of faith's exercise. Consequently he was 
not surprised to find that his prayer was answered. 
His pastor, who knew of his plans for entering the 
ministry, when he learned of the financial loss that 
had overtaken the family, called to say that friends 
were ready to help. The means were soon provided 
by the congregation and others in York, so that there 
was no interruption to the plans for going away to 
college. In 1858, Samuel Barnitz entered Pennsyl- 
vania College, at the Spring term, and for a time was 
successful in pursuing his studies along with his class. 
The failure of the uncle, with the attendant perplexi- 
ties and lawsuits, preyed upon the mind of the stu- 
dent, so that at the end of the Summer term he re- 
turned home considerably broken in health. During 
this half year at college Mr. Barnitz impressed himself 
upon his fellow students by reason of his deep relig- 
ious zeal. He found much to occupy his attention 
in the isolation of a country village. His room-mate 
fell under the favorable influence of his consecrated 
and earnest spirit. The unconverted students in the 
various college classes were drawn to the subject of 
personal religion through the devotion of this fledg- 
ling from York. 

By the consent of the college authorities, young 
Barnitz, associated with others of like mind, began a 



26 samue:i, bacon barnitz. 

daily prayer meeting in the college chapel. The first 
meeting was led by its chief organizer, and the fruits 
of the meetings were long after seen and felt in the 
institution. Active in all good work in the college 
and in the community, conducting a Sunday School 
regularly two miles out of Gettysburg, the first year 
closed hopefully. The next year was begun in regu- 
lar course, with advancement to the next higher class, 
but the labors and application of the previous year, 
combined with worry over finances, compelled an 
abandonment of studies, with a temporary giving up of 
the idea of entering the ministry. The thought of 
defeat at the very beginning was intolerable. Melan- 
choly came; all was in gloom, the outlook dark. 
The physicians ordered the student to leave the col- 
lege and return home to recuperate. This was always 
regarded by Dr. Barnitz as the darkest hour of his 
life, as he saw the cherished expectation of his heart 
dissolve into nothing. He went back into business 
life, entering a store where he had an agreement that 
he might do only so much labor as his health would 
permit. Gradually he gained in strength so that he 
was shortly able to enter upon labors for the Tract 
Society, the Sunday School Union, and the Lutheran 
Publication House. The outdoor life in Western 
Pennsylvania, whither he was sent by the Tract So- 
ciety, brought back such a favorable condition of 
health that by a unanimous vote of the Theological 



STARTING FOR COLIvEGE:. 2^ 

Seminary faculty he was admitted to the theological 
school at Gettysburg without completing his college 
course. 

At the seminary he made good progress, by con- 
stant care, improving in health, so that his prospects 
for usefulness in the ministry grew brighter as time 
passed on. The daily prayer meeting at the college 
continued to interest the theological student, as did 
the country Sunday School previously organized. 
Samuel Barnitz was the kind of boy, man, missionary, 
and secretary that when he once took hold he never 
let go. 

During all the preparatory period, and while in the 
theological seminary, he tells us in the brief autobi- 
ographical sketch which he prepared at the request 
of Mr. Geo. H. Stuart, of Philadelphia, he was in 
greatly straitened financial condition. "I oftimes 
knew not where money to pay my board would come 
from, yet it always came in time. God never forsakes." 

One notable incident during the seminary career 
was the walk to Niagara Falls planned by Mr. Barnitz. 
Several congenial spirits entered into the project, and 
carried it out to the delight and benefit of the whole 
party. They did not go as hoboes, but it is needless 
to say they did not stop at any first-class hotels on the 
way. The party v^as strictly personally conducted 
by "Sam Barnitz," as he was familiarly known in those 
days. He arranged to represent the American Sunday 



28 SAMUKI, BACON BARNITZ. 

School Union, and by writing ahead had the dates set 
for meetings, including entertainment of his party. 
In those days (the Spring of i860), it was counted a 
considerable undertaking to start out on a tramping 
tour of such extent. Many are the traditions of the 
trail of sunshine, innocent sport, interesting incidents 
and strange experiences occurring during the jour- 
ney. The outing was most beneficial to the theological 
student, both in physical results, and in gathering that 
knowledge of men and things by which he was after- 
wards to be made successful. He was a born mission- 
ary, and turned even his vacation into a season of 
helpfulness to the great work to which he was called. 



CHAPTER III. 

AS HIS FRIENDS SAW HIM AT COI.IvE:GE:. 

Dr. Barnitz was always a unique personality, im- 
pressing himself from college days upon those about 
him. One of his contemporaries has furnished a con- 
tribution recalling the York boy as he appeared at 
Gettysburg in the autumn of 1857. It is so nearly a 
photograph that we reproduce it entire : 

SAMUEL B. BARNITZ AT PENNSYLVANIA 
COLLEGE. 

BY LEONARD GROH, D. D., 01^ OMAHA, NEB. 

It was in the Fall of 1857 we first met. He was in the 
Preparatory. I was Freshman. He hailed from the City of 
York, hence had enjoyed more advantages of culture than 
some of us, who had not seen Hfe except as found on the 
the farm. He had lately made up his mind to become a min- 
ister of the Word. He was genial, sincere, enthusiastic. 
He had labored in Sunday Schools. His ready utterance, 
deep solemnity of voice, and manifest devotion, had gained 
him warm friends and many favorable recognitions. There- 
fore he came with courage and a fair share of innocent 
self-complacency. The latter soon received several rude 

29 



30 samue:i, bacon barnitz. 

shocks. One of these came as follows : He called on Dr. 
Baugher, Sr., then President of the College. He found a 
young man in the office. This young gentleman was always 
neat, dignified, rather stylishly striking in appearance. He 
had the faculty of putting together most magniloquently, 
grandiloquent sentences to express very common-place ideas. 
When Brother Barnitz entered, Mr. H. was just getting off 
some of his fine phrases. Among the rest of the things said, 
he related his experience on his uncle's "villa," not far from 
Baltimore, which made a deeply discouraging impression on 
Brother Barnitz. He was greatly relieved, however, as he 
told me afterward, when Dr. Baugher drew down the corners 
of his mouth and asked Mr. H. how long he had lived on 
his uncle's "farm"? He also visited the Senior class-room 
and heard these learned gentlemen "scan Latin poetry." Other 
similar occurrences, with even some Freshman "passing by on 
the other side," not noticing him at all, had the effect Solo- 
mon's glory had on the Queen of Sheba. 

"There was no more spirit in him." He wrote to his 
pastor, Dr. Lilly, of York : "I'll come home. Can't stay here. 
I'll give it up. There's no use trying, I find that I know 
nothing at all !" Dr. Lilly quickly replied : "I am delighted 
with your letter. You are a very promising student. In 
three weeks you've learned that you knew essentially noth- 
ing. Some don't learn that much in a year Some even 
never learn it. You stay. I have the best hopes for you !" 
He stayed. To what purpose the church and the world know. 

He and I became good friends then. Our fraternal unity 



AS HIS FRIENDS SAW HIM AT COLLE^GK. 3 1 

continued unbroken as long as he lived. As I now recall 
him in those days, he was a youth whose longitude of stature 
and limb was somewhat out of proportion to their latitude. 
Tall, slender, black hair, abundant and glossy, fair of com- 
plexion, a pronouncedly rosy tint on the cheeks, describes 
him. (Here permit a long parenthesis. I speak freely of his 
appearance. During more than 40 years I was often taken 
for Brother Barnitz. I could never see myself, in this respect, 
as others saw me. The description above given wouldn't fit 
me badly, save that he was a little taller and more slender, 
I,ater on both added a black, full beard. As years passed 
hair and beard bleached, never becoming white in either of 
us. While I was taken for him in the East, so many years 
ago, it was the same in the West in later times. Even since 
he is asleep, having gone to "the spirits of just men made 
perfect," I was asked whether I wasn't Dr. Barnitz.) He 
did not finish his full course at College. Physicians ad- 
vised him to take a short cut into the ministry. The reason 
given was, he wouldn't live many years. The Lord granted 
him 42 years, with varied, abundant and successful labors in 
the sacred calling. 

His complacency, so rudely shocked at first, speedily came 
back to him. He learned that even Seniors hadn't reached 
the boundary of knowledge ; that his friend H. had limita- 
tions; that the villa he described with such glowing beauty 
was a one-horse farm; that some of these learned young 
gentlemen couldn't address a Sunday School or prayer meet- 
ing with half the edification he could. He was reassured. He 



32 SAMUEI, BACON BARNITZ. 

was liked at College. Genial, companionable, always dignified, 
he could never take part in any small tricks of college boys. 
His earnest devotion always brought him to the front in any 
religious movement. He did not stay long enough to be 
generally known. Those who knew him, loved him for his 
candor and 'high sense of honor, sanctified humor, con- 
scientiousness and sincere consecration to the work ahead, in 
the "ministry of reconciliation." He never approved of or 
abetted a wrong — not even in fun. His religion wasn't in 
sentiment, but ingrained into life — not only "Christ for us, 
but also Christ in us." 



CHAPTER IV. 



LEAVING GETTYSBURG. 



During Mr. Barnitz's last term at the theological 
school at Gettysburg he labored much in the revival 
work then in vogue in many of our Lutheran churches, 
as indeed throughout most of the Protestant churches 
of the country. His labors were largely confined at 
that time to the region of York and Adams Counties. 
He made a first visit to the City of Philadelphia, at- 
tending the National Sunday School Convention. It 
was on the occasion of that visit that he first met Mr. 
Geo. H. Stuart, President of the Young Men's Chris- 
tian Association, and later the head of the Christian 
Commission during the Civil War. This acquaintance 
opened into larger fields of usefulness, and made a 
great impression for good at the time. In subsequent 
years Dr. Barnitz had opportunity to express his in- 
debtedness to Mr. Stuart, of whom he says: ''To 
Bro. Stuart, under God, I am indebted for much of the 
success of my religious life." In the last year at the 
seminary Dr. Barnitz accepted the chaplaincy of Lu- 
therville Female Seminary, (now Maryland College 
for Women). 

?3 



34 SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. 

He usually left Gettysburg on Saturday, preached 
at Lutherville on Sunday, and returned to his studies 
Monday morning. So from the beginning our friend 
was a busy worker, taking advantage of every oppor- 
tunity to sow the good seed. The hand of the Lord 
was manifest in these preliminary labors, fitting the 
worker for his work. 

His future field of permanent service was now 
beginning to cause much anxiety. The daily problem 
pressing upon the student, "where am I to go? In 
what part of the vineyard am I to work?" brought 
many hours of serious misgivings. Dr. Barnitz felt 
at this time that he was not intended for city work, 
but was looking for a small country charge. "I never 
expected to take a very prominent position in the min- 
istry, but to work in some little, obscure church. I 
was greatly perplexed and my faith was put to the 
test." Several charges were vacant, several invitations 
received, but in every instance something prevented a 
settlement. The theological course ended with our 
student-preacher without a field of labor and without 
money. Then followed more dark days. Never in all 
his later life would it have been possible for this noble 
servant of God to have had such an experience. After- 
wards, when he needed rest and the recuperation that 
comes from laying down work for a season, he had 
no opportunity. 

A few months passed in this uncertainty as to loca- 




UR. BARNITZ IN ROBE, 1861, 



IvE^AVING GE:TTYSBURG. 35 

tion.. He visited Philadelphia and was entertained by 
the family of his classmate, the Knauffs. He attended 
a j>ynod at Germantown in hope of finding a field of 
labor. In the meantime he had been licensed to 
preach by the West Pennsylvania synod, October i, 
1861, at Mechanicsburg, Pa. 

No place of labor opening, the way seemed hedged 
up, and the young preacher almost disheartened. His 
little store of money was now reduced to less than 
five dollars. Still he had enough to divide w^ith two 
others in the same straits with himself, leaving him 
$1.57. Sometimes we wondered at the depth of his 
sympathy for the missionaries for whom he pleaded 
before the Board. He had learned his lessons in the 
same hard school of adversity. At this period he 
was almost tempted to leave the ministry, which he 
had scarcely entered as yet. He wondered whether he 
had indeed been called. But he followed whither all 
doubting Thomases should go — ''Went to the Samson 
Street prayer meeting, was encouraged to pray and 
wait." 

Then the light began to break again. He preached 
for one of the Philadelphia pastors, replenished his 
little store, and entered upon a canvass for a church 
paper, temporarily. During the brief period of this 
uncongenial work he gained experience, and made 
friends. All of which v/as of incalculable value to 
him in his after missionary field. Thus the Lord led 



36 SAMUDI, BACON BARNITZ. 

him on from December to April of the year 1862. 
He preached as a candidate at St. Peter's church, Bar- 
ren Hill, Pa., and was given a call, which was de- 
clined because it was not unanimous. He was then 
invited to preach as a candidate at St. Luke's, Phil- 
adelphia, corner Girard Avenue and Fourth Street. 
After supplying the congregation several Sundays, 
some other man, who could command more money to 
pay their church debt, stepped down before the dis- 
heartened candidate. 

"I again became almost discouraged, but felt sat- 
isfied that I had not entered the ministry from any 
selfish motives, and was assured that God would direct 
me to a proper field." Shortly after, an invitation 
came to become assistant to the elder Dr. Stork, at 
that time pastor of St. Mark's Church, Baltimore, Md. 
Through some miscarriage in the correspondence and 
consequent delay, this proposal came to nothing. Just 
as the young preacher seemed ready to give up and 
return his license papers, a call came from Dr. J. G. 
Butler, of Washington, D. C., to come and assist him 
until such time as God directed to a more permanent 
field of labor. 

Doctor Butler had been appointed chaplain to the 
hospitals in Georgetown, his commission being the 
very first one signed by President Lincoln. So for a 
few months there was work without limit in the 
churches of the city, and in the hospitals among thv 



LEAVING GI^TTYSBURG. 37 

sick and wounded of the Civil War. Sickness in the 
home family at York, Pa., called the assistant away 
from Washington, and led in the end to a permanent 
settlement in a mission field. 



CHAPTER V. 



CAIvI, TO WHISKUNG. 



Doctor Barnitz's life is divided into three clearly 
distinct periods, each of about twenty years. The 
preparation period carries him through twenty-three 
years to 1862. The missionary period carries him to 
1 88 1, when he entered upon the work of the Western 
Secretary, in which he continued for twenty-one years 
to the day of his death. The call to the mission at 
Wheeling, Va., was unexpected, and was always 
deemed by Dr. Barnitz the direct ordering of Provi- 
dence. Indeed, without anything in his nature of 
that mysticism which is often only egotism, he was 
constantly ascribing his leadings, his successes, and 
multiplied answers to prayer to the direct interposi- 
tion of God. 

Rev. Wm. M. Baum, then a pastor at York, Pa., 
said to Mr. Barnitz one day, ''How would you like to 
take charge of the mission at Wheeling, Va. ?" The 
reply was: "Well, Brother Baum, I am ready to go 
to any place to which I am rightly called." To which 
he added: "If I know my own heart I want to work 
for Jesus, and though the field may be, (as report says 
it is), a hard one, yet if I am needed in it I will go." 



CAtl. TO WHE:E:tlNG. 39 

Instantly a letter was sent to Dr. W. A. Passavant, 
of Pittsburg, Pa., who had the Wheeling mission in 
hand. Here again seemed to be a coming together of 
the human petition and the divine leading. For Dr. 
Passavant's reply stated that he "had been praying the 
Lord to direct the attention of Samuel Barnitz to 
Wheeling." Dr. Passavant held out no picture of a 
bed of roses to the young preacher. He told him that 
Wheeling had been without a pastor for more than 
a year. He would find no church building, and few 
people, likely not more than sixteen members, and 
those all very poor. It proved very much as Dr. Passa- 
vant had foretold, for the missionary in later years, 
once when reviewing the early days of trial, told in 
his own quaintly humorous way how he had arrived 
in Wheeling, expecting to see a great crowd out to 
hear him, because his name had been in the papers. 
What was his mortification to find only eleven women 
and four men. One less than the number indicated in 
his call. The amount pledged positively for the sup- 
port of the missionary was one hundred and fifty dol- 
lars. Dr. Passavant thought an additional two hundred 
dollars could be raised from friends in Philadelphia, 
and ended the call with the assurance: ''It will be a 
hard and self-denying field for you, but at the same time 
a field large and rich in material." After making the 
call a subject of special prayer, asking God to make 
his duty plain, he determined to enter upon the work. 



40 SAMUKt BACON BARNITZ. 

"I made my going a matter of special prayer and 
God made my duty plain to me. I determined to enter 
upon the work." In these simple words of faith Dr. 
Barnitz records his decision to undertake the work 
of the first and only church he ever served. 

The early days of the mission had been full of 
vicissitudes. The synod of Virginia, at its meeting 
in New Market, October, 1858, resolved to send a 
traveling missionary to the north-western part of the 
State. It will be remembered that at that time the 
division of Virginia, creating West Virginia, had not 
taken place. Rev. T. W. Dosh was appointed to the 
work of traveling missionary on the territory along 
the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. In the year 1859, he 
spent several weeks at Wheeling, organizing an 
English Lutheran congregation with fourteen mem- 
bers. Rev. W. A. Passavant, of Pittsburg, assisted 
at the first communion service, when fifteen members 
were added to the congregation. Rev. T. W. Dosh 
v/as the first missionary, services being held in a Bap- 
tist church, rented for about two years. The mem- 
bership was increasing, the school growing, and a 
chapel building was projected. Political agitation and 
threatening civil war interrupted the work. In June 
of 1 86 1, the missionary was on a visit to Winchester, 
Va., when hostilities commenced, communication with 
the South was cut off, and the pastor did not return. 
For a year the little flock was without a shepherd, 



cAiviv TO whe:e:ivIng. 41 

though religious services were occasionally conducted 
by Dr. Passavant. This carries the mission on to the 
date of Dr. Barnitz's arrival, June 16, 1862. It was 
a little band, scattered, disheartened, as sheep without 
a shepherd. They Httle knew the man whom God had 
selected to gather them up again, to rouse the city, 
rebuild the Church and School, create Hospital and 
Children's Home, and make the Lutheran work a great 
power in all their community. 

To show the extent of the demoralization preced- 
ing his coming. Dr. Barnitz tells us that he found but 
a few members, a pulpit, and no Bible. One had 
been presented two years before by several Southern 
friends, who afterwards took it away from the pulpit 
and sent it to the former pastor. 

The first Sunday in Wheeling was one of great 
gloom and discouragement. There was a congregation 
of not more than twenty persons in an old dilapidated, 
dirty church building, in one of the most wretched 
sections of the city. This church had been leased, and 
was to be the future home of the mission. Dr. Bar- 
nitz has left a record of his desolation at the beginning 
of his work, with all the conditions so unpromising, 
war in the land, his very Bible stealthily removed by 
unsympathetic people, and not a single pastor of the 
city calling on him. "When I was introduced to them 
they took my hand as though I had leprosy. But God 
was with me!" A leading family of Wheeling, not 



42 SAMUEI* BACON BARNITZ. 

of the Lutheran mission, hearing of the removal of 
the Bible from the pulpit, sent the missionary a beau- 
tiful pulpit Bible, with other tokens of friendship. 

Dr. Barnitz never failed to mention, at the proper 
time, his gratitude for the kindness shown him in the 
early days at Wheeling by the family of Capt. John 
List, whose wife had been a schoolmate of the mother 
of Dr. Barnitz. Mrs. List sent for him as soon as she 
heard of the arrival of the new missionary, assuring 
him that she would take a mother's place and help 
him in every way. This promise she nobly fulfilled, 
and through a long term of years aided not only the 
local mission in Wheeling, but every other good work 
brought to her notice by her protege. 

In August, 1862, the mission was reorganized. 
The Baptist church not being in a desirable locality, 
the services were held for a time in the afternoon in 
the German church (Joint Synod). Later, the first 
Presbyterian church was tendered, and later Weisel 
Hall was rented at $400 a year, and fitted up at a 
cost of $900.00. In the succeeding years the largest 
hall in the city was secured. 

These first years are lost in the stress of later strug- 
gles, but we know just how the missionary went at 
his work, collecting funds in the city and from his 
friends in Pennsylvania that he might furnish the 
large hall and equip his Sunday School to compete with 
the wickedness abounding on every side. 



CAtl. to WHEietlNG. 43 

Dr. Barnitz brought his classmate and close friend, 
Rev. H. Louis Baugher, to the mission to carry on 
the work while he himself went on a collecting cam- 
paign. Dr. Baugher was possessed of the same mis- 
sionary zeal (Par nobile fratrum!), declining to ac- 
cept any compensation except sufficient to pay his 
boarding. 

For five years the mission struggled along in halls, 
enlarging its school and benevolent work, until there 
was scarcely room to contain the crowds that thronged 
the mission. The Lutheran Sunday School was the 
wonder of the town, the largest in Wheeling, known 
throughout the State for its enthusiasm, benevolence 
and progressive methods. The missionary was in de- 
mand at conventions, Young Men's Christian Associa- 
tions, temperance meetings, and every kind of phil- 
anthropic work. No man better than Dr. Barnitz 
could rouse a great audience to enthusiasm for a 
noble cause. His ringing voice, his magnetic manner, 
his dry humor, and his broad sympathy for every 
worthy cause, made him the ideal platform talker 
that he was for many years in our own Church and 
in the general community. 

At one time in some of the churches the question 
was raised why the Wheeling mission did not sooner 
come to self-support. But later, when the character 
of the population was better understood, migratory, 
and having little of this world's goods, there was gen- 



44 SAMUKI, BACON B/VRNITZ. 

eral satisfaction with Dr. Barnitz's management of 
the work. He might have remained another twenty 
years and the Boards would have continued their sup- 
port of the missionary, in fullest confidence that he 
was doing the Lord's work in the Lord's own way. 

It must be remembered also that the centralization 
of our home mission work did not occur until some 
years after Dr. Barnitz had been at Wheeling. He 
was doing what would now be called independent mis- 
sionary work, answerable only to the Pittsburg synod. 



CHAPTER VI. 

ME:TH0DS at WHEEI.ING. 

At Wheeling Dr. Barnitz at once began his work 
with the earnestness which marked all the years of 
his life. The unsavory conditions surrounding the 
mission must be cured. New and better accommoda- 
tions were procured as the mission enlarged. From 
the first — as all through his after labors — he entered 
with special zeal into the Sunday School. He delighted 
in the music of the School. He gathered up the neg- 
lected, and,, as he tells us, in the first weeks of the 
mission, began the support of an orphan child, thus 
laying the foundation for the Children's Home, of 
which he was the chief promoter. It would be of 
great value if we were able to produce the connected 
history of this period in the development of the Wheel- 
ing church. But Dr. Barnitz left no records covering 
the early days. He simply states that the congregation 
never celebrated a, communion season without addi- 
tions to the church. The persons brought to the 
Savior were mostly of the poor and neglected classes. 
One of the most vulgar men in the city, who had not 

45 



46 SAMUEt BACON BARNITZ. 

been inside a church for fifteen years, the dread of 
all decent people in the community, was converted, 
became a deacon in the church, giving two thousand 
dollars toward the building of a church. Profane 
swearers, brawlers and disturbers of the peace became 
quiet, orderly Christians. In one family a grand- 
mother of seventy-three, daughters, son-in-law and 
grandchildren together made confession of Christ, 

At the end of four years we find the missionary 
looking back to contrast his field with the condition of 
the mission when he entered upon the work. Writing 
a brief autobiographical sketch in 1866, at the request 
of his friend, Mr. Geo. H. Stuart, of Philadelphia, he 
says: 

"Four years ago the coming June we had no regular 
church organization. I found fifteen members, all poor, with 
a single exception, and a Sunday School of about ninety schol- 
ars and teachers. Since that time one hundred persons have 
confessed Christ and united with His people. The Sunday 
School has grown to 328, being as large a number as the rented 
hall will hold. My first audience numbered between fifteen 
and twenty-five. Last Sunday the house was packed and 
scores, I have been told, went away unable to find room. 
Four years ago I was scarcely noticed by the different pastors 
of the city. Now they scarcely undertake anything of import- 
ance without first consulting me. 

"Four years ago we had no Bible Depository and no relig- 



METHODS AT WHIv:EUNG. 47 

ious Book House. Now we have one of the finest anywhere 
to be found. I have given this work my personal attention, 
and made it a mutlir of special prayer. God has heard, an- 
swered and blessed. Four years ago our Christian Associa- 
tion talked of disbanding. My old love for Christian work 
among young men was rekindled. I prayed for it and worked 
for it, and now it is doing a blessed work. 

The Christian Commission claimed and received a large 
share of my attention, not so much in the way of raising 
funds as in the actual work among the sick and wounded in 
our hospitals and prisons. Our Heavenly Father gave me 
grace to go into "the Old Atheneum" hospital of this city 
when others would not go. The place was so filthy that it 
was almost impossible for me to find a spot on which to kneel. 

The results of four years of labor in Wheeling are : A 
congregation of over one hundred has been gathered from 
the poor and neglected, the sinful and the sad. A mission 
school of 325, the most efficient in all the city, has been nobly 
sustained by this little congregation. Seven to ten orphans 
are being supported and educated and trained for Jesus. Two 
young men of talent, and above all, piety and Christian energy, 
are being educated for the ministry. $3,200 have been given 
for missions and charity. Through the 'Orphan Box System,' 
introduced by me into our Sunday School, a number of other 
schools have been led to adopt the same, so that nearly $2,000 
were given for orphan purposes during 1865. A first-class 
Religious Book House has been established, which by the 
blessing of God is becoming a power for good. The Y. M. 



48 samue:i. bacon barnitz. 

C. A. is alive. "Praise God from whom all blessings flow." 
I am now at work creating an interest in the erection of a 
Reform School and Home for the Friendless. Also a Work- 
ingman's Coffee House, and a Protestant Hospital. Father 
in Heaven, grant that in Thine own good time these institu- 
tions of mercy and benevolence may be successfully estab- 
lished to the honor and glory of Thy Name, and the good of 
Thy suffering creatures. In conclusion, for all the good that 
I have been permitted to accomplish, I give the glory to God 
the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. Amen 
and Amen!" 

This autobiographical note well discloses the 
methods of work and large sympathies which made Dr. 
Barnitz so successful in his mission. His busy brain 
was always planning good. 

It was only after five years of such toil, prayer and 
faith that the missionary began to see the larger fruit 
of his labors. In August, 1867, a corner lot was pur- 
chased for $3,900. This proved a very fortunate in- 
vestment, as it was next to the United States post- 
office building. The cornerstone of the brick chapel 
on this site was laid November 18, 1868. Rev. F. W. 
Conrad, D. D., of whom it used to be said, facetiously, 
that he could not rest at night if he did not lay a 
cornerstone once a week, made the address. It was a 
slow work, the missionary doing much of the work, 
and himself supervising all the details of building, 



METHODS AT \VHI:e:UNG. 49 

furnishing, buying economically, soliciting help from 
friends in Wheeling and from Lutheran churches in 
other States. Not till two years after the cornerstone 
laying was the chapel first occupied. October 31, 1870, 
the Sunday School room was dedicated and first used ; 
the church proper was finished and consecrated in 
December of the same year. Dr. Dosh, who had been 
the earlier missionary, was present to assist, as also 
Rev. Dr. Baum, a former pastor of Dr. Barnitz in 
York. Four years later the school-room was enlarged 
and rededicated. Dr. Baum and Dr. L. E. Albert 
assisting on that occasion. 

The report of the missionary, covering' his entire 
period of service at Wheeling, gives some faint notion 
of the great personal sacrifices and unwearied devo- 
tion of Dr. Barnitz during all these trying years. Be- 
ginning with nothing, he ended with a strong congre- 
gation, a large school, the model for all in the State, 
a devoted people; the Home for Orphans, established 
largely through the efforts of the missionary, and the 
moral tone of the entire city lifted up. Dr. F. W. 
Conrad, at that time the editor of the Lutheran Ob- 
server, after visiting the Wheeling mission again in 
1882, at the end of Dr. Barnitz's term of service in the 
city, wrote editorially: "The Wheeling mission must 
be pronounced not only financially a profitable invest- 
ment, but ecclesiastically a great gain to the church. 
Three hundred and nineteen souls have been led to 



50 SAMUKL BACON BARNITZ. 

Christ through this mission directly, and twenty-four 
added by certificate. The Sunday School increased 
from eighty in 1862 to more than five hundred in 1880. 
A Home for orphans and destitute children has been 
established in Wheeling, in which great work the 
Wheeling mission has had a very considerable part. 
Three young men have already entered the gospel 
ministry from this church, and a fourth is now pre- 
paring. Hundreds of humble and worthy ones of the 
Lord's poor have been relieved, hundreds of homes 
made happy, and every good, honorable and benevo- 
lent work has been stimulated by the establishment of 
the Wheeling Mission. 

"One hundred and eighty-two members are now 
upon the roll, fifty-four have died, over thirty are at 
work in other missions and churches in the West, and 
the remainder have been called from Wheeling by the 
ever-changing circumstances of work and wages inci- 
dent to a mining and manufacturing community." 

Dr. Barnitz at the end of his ministry made a con- 
densed, yet comprehensive report covering the entire 
period from 1862 to 1880. 

He reports two thousand dollars received from the 
East Pennsylvania Synod towards the chapel build- 
ing, two thousand dollars from "A Steward of the 
Lord," to erect the addition ; from collections made by 
the missionary himself, contributions from individuals 
and from the Pittsburg Synod through the Board of 



ME:TH0DS at WH^KtlNG. 5t 

Church Extension, the sum of three thousand two 
hundred and fifty dollars ; from the Board of Home 
Missions, the sum of six thousand six hundred dol- 
lars, making a grand total of $13,850.00. This sum 
represented the cost to the church at large in establish- 
ing the Wheeling Mission. As over against that 
amount the missionary made the following statement : 
The mission had paid for the lot and taxes three thou- 
sand nine hundred and fifty dollars; for chapel build- 
ing thirteen thousand one hundred and seven dollars; 
for addition to school nineteen hundred dollars; local 
objects seventeen thousand four hundred and twenty- 
three dollars ; for various benevolent objects six thou- 
sand dollars; making a grand total of $42,395.81 

In other words the mission had itself provided more 
than twenty-one thousand dollars in actual cash for its 
own improvement, or nearly two thousand dollars a 
year. This is surely a creditable showing for a little 
group of "eleven women and four men," who were to 
give the missionary one hundred and fifty dollars the 
first year. In the seventeen years ending in 1880, the 
mission contributed to the Synodical Treasury, $120; 
Home Missions, $470; Foreign Missions, $347.67; 
Beneficiary Education, $390; Church Extension, 
$1,155; Orphans, $1,481; Charity, $1,840; Local, 
$17,423; Publication, $97; Pastor's Fund, $75; Gen- 
eral Synod, $36; total, $23,136. The contributions for 
all objects during the first year of Dr. Barnitz's min- 



5? SAMUEI. BACON BARNITZ. 

istry were $501.50. The last year they exceeded three 
thousand. Thus the devoted servant of God is vindi- 
cated by the statistician, who sees how his works do 
follow him and that "He being dead yet speaketh." 

In looking over the reports made by the missionary 
to tlie Pittsburg Synod, one is impressed with the care- 
ful attention to the details of his work always exhib- 
ited by Dr. Barnitz, as the chief factor in his success. 
Taking the report for the year 1878, when he had 
been on the field sixteen years, we find that he is 
reporting a contribution from the mission of only $450 
for his own salary, while he reports $490 paid in in- 
terest on the bonded debt; $416 on benevolence, char- 
ity, orphans and such items. A church had been built 
by issuing bonds at seven per cent, afterwards at five 
per cent. The membership had been increased by 
thirty members, "notwithstanding the illness and ab- 
sence of the missionary," during the entire Winter. 
So amid weakness of body often, debt, and discour- 
agement, the missionary was being schooled in prepar- 
ation to become Missionary Secretary. Not only is 
the First Church of Wheeling a monument to his 
years of sacrifice in that city, but the Second Church 
is an outgrowth of his labors, for he started the Mis- 
sion Sunday School only two squares from the site of 
the Second Church. 



CHAPTER VII. 

AN OIyD-FASHIONE:D DIARY. 

Several years after settling at Wheeling and while 
still a single man, Dr. Barnitz began to keep a daily 
journal, in the form of the old-fashioned diary. Owing 
to the pressure of other duties this record was discon- 
tinued after a half year elapsed, but the fragment 
which remains is an iteresting leaf out of the busy 
life. It abounds in introspections and lament over 
unworthiness and lack of successful enthusiasm in the 
work of building up the mission. Partly as a type of 
the old-fashioned diary, and partly to let the reader 
more intimately into the mind of the missionary, ex- 
tracts from this journal follow. On the fly-leaf is 
written, in the familiar chirography, "Hitherto hath 
the Lord helped us." Immediately underneath, **Be- 
cause Thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow 
of Thy wings will I rejoice.' 

There are many things in this journal suggestive 
for a young pastor entering upon his first field, or for 
the missionary who would make his discouraging work 
the brilliant success which came to the young and in- 
experienced but zealous pastor at Wheeling. For 
these reasons the extracts from this journal have been 
taken freely and at such length. 

53 



54 SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. 

It was during this year that the division of the 
General Synod, by the establishment of the General 
Council, threw the Pittsburg Synod into such turmoil. 
Reference is made to the matter in the course of the 
journal, especially under the entry for May i6, 1867. 

At the beginning of his ministry the mission was 
distracted by the divisions made by the Civil War. 
Now later Dr. Barnitz has the peace of his flock 
greatly disturbed by the unhappy synodical divisions 
which followed the disruption at Fort Wayne in 1866. 

"Jan. I, 1867, Tues. Spared to see the first day of another 
year. How good my Heavenly Father has been to me during 
1866. How little I have done for His glory. How prone I 
have been to wander from Him. Have mercy upon me, O 
God of my salvation, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me ! 
Make 1867 the beginning of years to me — a year of great 
growth in grace and spiritual strength — a. year of entire con- 
secration to my Blessed Master — a year of increased energy 
and sanctified zeal ! O God, if it please Thee, give unto us 
means to erect a House for the glory of Thy Holy Name. 

Jan. 2, Wed. I am glad to find in myself an increased de- 
sire for holiness of heart and life. My prayers for more grace 
are being answered. ... I feel an increased interest in 
the young men of the city and a desire to bring them into 
the fold of Jesus. 

Jan. 3, Thursd. I have been thinking much of my mother 
since Tuesday and have a great desire to see her. Must 



AN OIvD-:FASHIONED DIARY. 55 

write so soon as my sermon is finished. I am happy in 
thinking that this year opens to me with much more promise 
than last year. This afternoon visited Mrs. N. — the murderer 
of her own child. O, what a sad place is the prison ! The 
Lord give me grace to speak to the inmates of Jesus and his 
Word and Love ! 

Frid., Jan. 4. Arose this morning with sweets thoughts 
of the mercy of my Heavenly Father. Am much interested 
in my sermon on "How old art thou?" I feel that time is 
rapidly flying, and that I must work more earnestly than ever 
before. "The night cometh." I have great reason to thank 
God for friends. Each new day adds new friends to my 
already large list and increases the love of those who have 
long stood by me. O, that I may show myself more worthy 
of the kindnesses of the people ! Oh, my Saviour, keep me 
humble, and suffer not my successes to become a weapon 
against me at the hands of Satan ! 

Sat. 5th. In my study all day. I rejoice that my interest 
in the souls of men deepens. Parts of my sermon for to- 
morrow night have been written with tears of the deepest 
concern for the welfare of my hearers. Oh, Heavenly Father, 
may the worth of the soul be more and more impressed upon 
my heart. Spent the evening with Mrs. List and her dear 
family. 

Sund. 6. Blessed be God for the return of His Holy Day ! 
Praise the Name of my Heavenly Father for sweet refresh- 



56 SAMUKL BACON BARNITZ. 

ing sleep last night. Congregation quite good this morning, 
and i felt the love of souls. Preached from Luke 13:6-10. 
Sunday School grand — full of interest and life. O, such 
singing! It seemed like a foretaste of Heaven. Blessed 
Jesus, make the school more and more efficient ! Preached at 
night with great pleasure to a crowded house from "How old 
art thou ?" The Lord be pleased to own and bless His Holy- 
Word ! 

Mond. 7. And am I 3'et alive? O, the mercy of God 
towards me is wonderful ! I am so full of sinful thoughts 
and feelings as to be unworthy of the least of His favors. 
Feel very tired this morning, as I had but little sleep last 
night. To-day begins the week of prayer. I have service 
every night after to-night, this being the meeting night of the 
Y. M. C. Assn. 

Later — Had a live and interesting meeting. Attended the 
Mite Society of the Episcopalian church. 

Tuesd. 8. Am much encouraged by the meetings ; the 
Spirit of the Lord is moving in our midst. Katie L — very 
ill. O, that it may please the Lord to raise her from her bed 
of sickness, and may He — the Great Physician — make this 
dispensation profitable to her. I plead for Katie that she may 
be a true child of God ! Retired with a heavy heart. 

Wed. 9. The morning is cold and bracing. My heart is 
sad. I seem to be deep down in the valley of despondency. 



AN OIvD-I^ASHIONKD DIARY. 57 

''Why art thou cast down, O my soul?" Why am I thus? 
Why, O, why do I give way to such feelings? Heavenly 
Father, bring me up out of the pit, and give me a cheerful 
countenance ! Katie is better this morning. I praise God 
for it. Night meeting quite interesting. One young man 
remained for conversation. God bless him ! 

Thursd. lo. Beautiful Winter morning. Blessed be God 
for that providence which gives us the different seasons. 
This has been a most pleasant Winter. Our hills are cov- 
ered with garments of snow. "He giveth snow like wool." 
I am in better spirits than yesterday. Blessed God — my Father 
— keep me from despondency ! God's amazing mercy towards 
me fills me with wonder. "I'm a miracle of grace !" Our 
meetings are full of interest. O, that I had strength to follow 
them up with special effort. 

Frid. II. Am in good spirits, and greatly interested in 
my sermon for Sunday night on the "Sins of the City." Am 
greatly encouraged in my labors as one and another and 
another are asking the v/ay to the Saviour. These are mostly 
young men who have been very wicked. Blessed be God 
that the truth has reached their hearts. O, Heavenly Father, 
help me to preach the truth in the love of it, and grant that 
more and yet more may seek life by faith in Jesus Christ. 

Sund. 13. I feel thankful and happy, and glory in the fact 
of being a preacher of righteousness, temperance, and judg- 
ment to come. Sunday School was very interesting. Over 300 



58 SAMUKI. BACON BARNIT7.. 

present. Had a crowded church and preached with great 
earnestness. The Ivord own His Word ! 

Frid. 18. Still alive, and on interceding terms with God! 
When I rememher my shortcomings and then think of God's 
mercy, I am overwhelmed at it, and am led to cry out "Un- 
worthy! Unworthy!" Glory to God that He has deemed me 
worthy of the high position of a preacher of righteousness ! 
Every day, yea, every hour, I feel my unworthiness and won- 
der at the unlimited condescension of God, O, for a nearness 
to Him which I have never before felt ! O, for a more burn- 
ing desire to lead souls to a knowledge of the Son of God! 
O, for more stars in my crown of rejoicing! 

Jan. 19. Was invited to a tea-party, but felt that my duty 
was in my own room preparing myself for the glorious work 
of to-morrow. I am glad that God gave me grace to refuse 
the invitation and to say No ! 

Jan. 24. I praise the Lord for the effect of last night's 
sermon. I yearn for souls. Give me souls, not honor, not 
praise, but souls! souls! O, how weak the instrument, but 
how mighty the power of God in the instrument. At least 
twenty stood up for Jesus. To God be all the glory! O, 
Father, I thank Thee for calling me to preach the gospel! 

Feb. 9. Saturday morning and no sermons, as yet, for 
to-morrow. Lord help me! O, for more sense in regard to 
taking care of myself. O, that my zeal were more in accord- 



AN oi<d-:?ashione:d diary. 59 

ance with prudence ! Here I am fairly exhausted, and with 
all the work of to-morrow before me. May I have strength 
given me for this day's study and to-morrow's labor. I can- 
not long continue strong at my present rate of working. I 
must be more careful, and yet there seems so much to be 
done for God's glory and the good of men that I cannot 
restrain myself. 

Sunday, Feb. 17. A blessed day has closed upon us as a 
congregation. There were ten persons confirmed, seven of 
them young men. The S. School was full of the glory of 
the Lord. The prayer-meeting to pray for the coming of 
Philip Phillips, was one of great delight and unusual power. 

March 7. This morning I mailed thirty additional letters 
to pastors and congregations asking for a collection at Easter. 

March 14. Ofif for New York. Had a kind and hearty 
reception from Bros. Wedekind and Ockershausen. Such 
friends amount to something. They tell my faults as well as 
my good qualities. They chide as well as praise. They re- 
prove and advise as well as commend. Blessed be God for 
friends ! 

April 4. Have already had five applications for church 
membership at Easter. One of them an old friend from 
York; two others from the Ohio Synod German church. I 
rejoice in this, as I feel that these young Germans will re- 
ceive much more good with us than in their own church. 



6o samue:i, bacon barnitz. 

April 9. Had a plain talk with Bro. K — , as to his duty 
in the church building. I want him to give $5,000.00. O 
Lord, incline him so to do ! Soften his heart and' make him 
to see his duty! 

April 16. Have just been called to the jail to visit Minnie 
N — . O, what a wretched place it is ! She lies upon a bed of 
straw, covered only with a coarse blanket. Truly, "the way 
of the transgressor is hard." It is hard to speak to such char- 
acters, very difficult to know how to treat them. I read to 
her the 51st Psalm, and tried to tell her of the Saviour's love 
for sinners. 

April 19. "Good Friday" — the day commemorating the 
crucifixion of the World's Redeemer. I am dull and stupid, 
unfit for the services of to-day. O, Heavenly Father, breathe 
upon me the Holy Spirit, and help me by faith, to see my 
Saviour on the cross. Help me to crucify the flesh with the 
affections and lusts. 

April 20. How weak and frail is my poor body ! I seem 
scarcely able to endure anything in comparison to my labors 
of former years. Attended funeral of a young man who was 
cut to pieces on Balto. and Ohio Railroad. Truly, "In the 
midst of life we are in death." 

April 23. It is Katie L — 's wedding-day. Bros. Baugher, 
Goettman and myself presented Katie with a beautiful family 
Bible. 



AN OIvD-I^ASHIONKD DIARY. 6l 

Thursd. 25. Commenced my sermon on "Church Build- 
ing." O, Heavenly Father, give me grace and wisdom and 
knowledge so to present the truth that it may redound to Thy 
Glory and the good of this community. Grant that very soon 
we may be permitted to dedicate a house to the glory of 
Thy Name. 

Mond. 29. Am tired and worn and weary and sad. I 
feel as I imagine the patriarch felt when he exclaimed, "O, 
that I had wings." The indifference and trifling character of 
some of the members of the church is almost unbearable. 
O Lord, give wisdom and common sense to those who seem 
to lack, and stir them to a proper appreciation of their high 
privileges ! Help me to speak plainly to such members, and 
give me wisdom to show them their duty ! If I were properly 
sustained by the membership, O, how much more I might 
accomplish ! 

May I. The first day of May! How rapidly the months 
pass away. O, my soul, awake to a sense of the shortness of 
life, and put on thy strength for renewed exertions in the 
Master's work ! I am depressed and cast down. O, for a 
stronger faith ! If I am in the line of duty, why need I be dis- 
consolate? O, Precious Saviour, hold Thou me up, and take 
from me all thoughts of resigning my place as pastor of this 
mission. Lectured this evening from Psalm 92. 

Frid. 3 — 

"How vain are all things here below, 
"Wow false and yet how fair." 



62 SAMU:eL BACON BARNITZ. 

I realized this last night at Mrs. K.'s company, I did not 
feel at home on account of the worldliness of the entertain- 
ment. If I did wrong to remain, O Father, forgive me! 

Sunday 12. Nine and twenty years old to-day. Blessed 
be God for His protecting care and forgiving mercy. 

Thursd. 16. Sad and gloomy ! Bro. Passavant is here to 
meet the council of my church and urge upon them adherence 
to the Pittsburg Synod. He says our leaving that body will 
result in the establishment of a second mission. I said to 
him: "God speed the work, and make it a success!" If my 
council and people will accept my resignation. I have no 
desire to remain in Wheeling; but if not, and the Lord con- 
tinues to bless my work then I will remain. "I cannot do 
otherwise, God help me I" O, how painful to break with such 
brethren as Dr. Passavant, Roth, and others. For them per- 
sonally, I must entertain feelings of the deepest love. God 
bless them ! 

Sat. 18. Five years to-day since I first set foot in Wheel- 
ing. 

"Here I raise my Ebenezer 
Hither by Thy help I've come." 

How different my feelings now from what they then were. 
How many and great have been the changes ! How unde- 
serving and unworthy I am, and have been, of God's great 
mercy to me. 




DR. BARNITZ IN 1867, 



AN 0I.D-FASHI0NE:D DIARY. 63 

Mond. 20. Called on Mrs. Jno. L., with whom I dined 
just five years ago to-day. How kind she has been to me in 
the years which have passed away! At Y. M. C. A. Sent 
as delegate to Montreal. 

Wed. 22. I find my journal takes too much of my time, 
and must therefore give up the idea of making daily records. 
I will, however, endeavor to note any important changes in 
my daily life, and still have hope to keep up the connected 
history. May God, Our Father, continue to guide and direct 
me to His praise in all I undertake, for Jesus sake. Amen. 

The next entry is : 

Frid., May 31. Received my mother's picture to-day. 0, 
how emaciated she looks ! How thin those hands which have 
so often ministered to my wants ! How sunken those eyes 
which have so often looked in tenderness upon me! God 
bless my mother! In her declining years comfort her with 
still more comfort and hope. And is it so? Is mother really 
passing away so rapidly? Must I soon follow her to the 
grave? Great Comforter, help me to lean on Thee! 

Thursday, Aug. 8. At Gettysburg. Commencement Day. 
Many dear friends present. At noon received dispatch an- 
nouncing the purchase of the splendid church site at corner 
4th and John St. Glory to God in the highest! 



64 SAMUi:r, BACON BARNITZ. 

Sat. Aug, 10. At my York, Pa., home. Received a cordial 
greeting from mother and all the friends. Oh, how gratify- 
ing is this to me. Spent the evening with L. S. Lord, make 
known Thy holy will ! 

Sund, Aug. II. (York, Pa.) Preached for Bro. Baum. 
Fifty years since the establishment of Sunday Schools in 
York, Pa. Uncle Sam'l Bacon organized the first school, 
and by the blessing of God, I am here to celebrate the fiftieth 
anniversary. O, what mercy flows from Heaven. 

Sunday, Aug. 25. Again at my Wheeling home. Lovely 
day! Preached upon the harvest season. Sunday School 
quite pleasant. O, Lord, increase my faith !" 

Thus ends the last entry ii? the journal. A prayer 
for faith. Through all the bodily weakness, to which 
reference is often made, and the consequent despond- 
ency of the spirit, there is still running the cry of tri- 
umph, the hunger for souls, the desire to build a house 
of worship for God's glory, and to make the Wheeling 
Mission a complete success. These were heroic days. 
The Apostles have had at least one successor in our 
time. Noble, self-sacrificing, devoted, we shall not 
soon see his like again in our church. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



AN IMPARTIAL ESTIMATE). 



Now that the work at Wheeling is coming to a 
close, we can sum up the result of twenty years' fidel- 
ity. There is another score of years in a wider field 
and then the life account is closed. It dwindles away 
looking back, but those who knew the worker can 
recall how full were the days and nights of travel, 
toil, plans, wrestlings v/ith tangled affairs in missions, 
letters, reports, visits, and endless details of appoint- 
ments for himself and his brethern. He was the cham- 
pion transportation man in the Lutheran church. He 
traveled over every railway in the United States. If 
he ever paid his fare it mxust have been due to an acci- 
dent. He had passes without limit. He knew person- 
ally many of the leading railway men both East and 
West. They knevv^ the self-denying work of the man. 
They honored his requests for transportation at re- 
duced rates for the missionaries and their families. 
He saved the church hundreds of dollars annually in 
this item alone. His bill for the expenses of the 

65 



66 SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. 

month, when presented to the Board, would read : 
"Miles traveled during the month, 4,219; cost of trans- 
portation, $000.00." 

It is told of him that he once volunteered to get a 
poor student who called on him a pass to his destina- 
tion. They went together to the office of the General 
Manager. In a few minutes the beaming face of Dr. 
Barnitz appeared, the pass in hand. The student ven- 
tured to suggest, as they walked away: "Doctor Bar- 
nitz, you have a good deal of assurance !" "Assur- 
ance?" the Doctor replied; "my young friend, that is 
not assurance — it is grace." 

Returning to the final estimate we are to make of 
the splendid work at Wheeling, it is best set out as it 
was once described by Dr. F. W. Conrad, after visit- 
ing the field. He prepared an extended editorial on 
"Elements of Success in Mission Work," which ap- 
peared in the Lutheran Observer in May, 1882. With- 
out presenting this contemporary judgment in full, the 
summary of it should enter into the permanent record 
of Dr. Barnitz's faithful life-work. 

I. Permanence in the ministry. The mission dur- 
ing nineteen years had the services of but one pastor. 
With the shiftings of a borrowed and unscriptural 
itineracy the mission w^ould either have had a sickly 
and precarious life or died in the hands of its ever- 
changing doctors, under their varied prescriptions and 
regimen. 



AN IMPARTlAIv ESTIMATE. 67 

2. Timely, adequate and continued assistance. The 
congregation could raise but $150 for the pastor the 
first year, to which the Home Mission Board added 
$200. In 1880 the mission paid $800 to the pastor, and 
in 1 88 1 became self-supporting. The East Pennsyl- 
vania Synod, "A Steward of the Lord," the Church 
Extension Board, and special friends, lent a helping 
hand in procuring the lot and erecting the building. 

3. Scriptural benevolence. Neither the poverty of 
the members^ nor their own need of help, was regarded 
as exempting any one from the duty of giving to all 
the benevolent objects supported by the Synod. 

4. Pastoral collections. Of the $3,950 paid for the 
lot, $2,400 were collected through the personal efforts 
of Rev. S. B. Barnitz, mostly in Pennsylvania. 

5. Special contributions. These came from per- 
sonal friends, members of other denominations and 
citizens of Wheeling, who, although strangers, became 
its friends and supporters. 

6. Cliurchliness. It was originated by a Lutheran 
synod (Virginia), adopted the basis and constitution, 
and practiced the usages recommended by the General 
Synod. It had a chancel with railing, reading-desk 
and baptismal font. Its pastor preached Lutheran 
doctrines, conducted divine service according to the 
Book of Worship, catechised the young, and celebrated 
the Church Festivals and the anniversary of the Refor- 
mation, 



68 SAMUICL BACON BARNITZ. 

7. Loyalty. When, in 1866, the majority of the 
Pittsburg Synod undertook to transfer the pastors and 
congregations belonging to it from the General Synod 
to the General Council, Mr. Barnitz and others pro- 
tested against it; and when this proved unavailing, 
they united in maintaining the connection of the Pitts- 
burg Synod, according to its constitution, with the 
General Synod, and his congregation endorsed their 
course, remained firm, and retained its connection 
with the General Synod. In other words, Mr. Bar- 
nitz and his struggling mission, in this peculiar crisis, 
and under extraordinary pressure, maintained their 
loyalty, and have borne a significant part in developing 
the missionary spirit and advancing the progress of 
the Pittsburg Synod. 

8. Catholicity. The pastor and people did not en- 
trench themselves in a sectarian mud-fort of exclu- 
siveness, but cultivated fraternal relations, and co- 
operated with the ministers and members of other 
orthodox Protestant denominations in every good word 
and work. 

9. Philanthropy. This is broader than ecclesiastical 
enclosures, and takes in all mankind. Mr. Barnitz did 
not confine his efiforts to purely denominational bounds, 
but went out into the highways and hedges, and min- 
istered not only to the moral but to the physical neces- 
sities of the poor and fallen. He sympathized with the 
intemperate, and became instrumental in reforming 



AN IMPARTIAI, e:STIMATK. 69 

many, and rescuing them from a drunkard's grave. 
He was the prime mover in estabHshing the Children's 
Home of the City of WheeHng, presided over it as its 
president. His influence was also felt in advancing 
popular education, and in improving the condition of 
the poor, entrusted to the care of the city authorities. 

10. Religious enterprise. His experience and 
knowledge of mission work brought his services into 
requisition at missionary conventions and synods. He 
stands at the head of our most progressive Sunday 
School workers, and has taken a leading part in in- 
augurating the new departure in the Sunday School 
periodicals and publications of the Church. He has 
been the master spirit at our general Sunday School 
conventions, and has done more than any other man 
in making our Sunday School work and literature 
known, and in securing our denominational right of 
representation on the committee of the International 
Series of uniform lessons, by his presence and efforts 
at the meeting of the National Sunday School Con- 
vention of the United States and Canada. 

All the foregoing and much more Dr. Conrad gives 
as part of the history of the Wheeling Mission, illus- 
trating the elements of success necessary in all mission 
work, and vindicating as he says in the end, ''the 
Board of Home Missions and Church Extension for 
the assistance they rendered this good work, and to 
encourage them to go forward in establishing city 



yo SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. 

missions, as well as to stimulate our pastors and con- 
gregations to redouble their efforts and quadruple their 
contributions to the cause of Home Missions and 
Church Extension." 



CHAPTER IX. 

TRACT NO. 217. 

Among the publications issued by the General Lit- 
erature Committee of the Woman's Home and Foreign 
Missionary Society of our church is Tract No. 217. 
This is a pen picture of Dr. Barnitz, especially as he 
was known to a member of his school in Wheeling. 
Mrs. P. A. Heilman, wife of the pastor of St. Paul's 
in Baltimore, is the author of this beautiful tribute to 
the fidelity of her former pastor. Mrs. Heilman says 
that she had the privilege of years of observation, and 
desired to bear witness to the "full, rich life of Mr. 
Barnitz as a pastor — to the nobility of soul and teach- 
ing, to the ever patient attendance upon the children 
and families of his Wheeling Mission." The incidents 
recited in this tract are so strikingly characteristic of 
the man that several of them are reproduced from one 
who was a former member of the Wheeling school, 
of which she says : "He made it what it was acknowl- 
edged to be, the greatest Sunday School in the State 
of West Virginia." 



^2 SAMUEI. BACON BARNlTZ. 

One night, in his early ministry, he was called to 
visit a sick person. Finding that a thief had entered 
his boarding-house and stolen his hat, he covered his 
head with a coat and walked more than a mile through 
the streets of the city to comfort and help the dis- 
tressed family. 

Through an accident a Swedish family was 
stranded in Wheeling. No one could talk with them. 
Mr. Barnitz found them in great distress, the mother 
sick, the children hungry, the father with no work. 
Mr. Barnitz soon had bread for the children and work 
for the father. Death robbed the poor one soon of the 
the mother, who, though she could not talk with the 
pastor, could understand sympathy and could feel the 
loving prayers, and died with mute thanks in her eyes. 
In scenes like these was this great-hearted man con- 
tinually using up his strength and energy. He never 
seemed so tall and great as when, holding by the hand 
a little girl of six years, he led a procession of Orphan 
Home children to the cemetery to see one of their num- 
ber laid in the short grave. 

When his unlettered housekeeper, who loved and 
cared for his motherless children, was stricken with 
sudden death, he honored her with a dignified funeral 
from his own home. He brought from Canton, O., a 
Lutheran minister to conduct the burial service, while 
he and his children took the mourners' place in the pro- 
cession. 



TRACT NO. 217. 73 

Two workmen talking one day of the need of rain, 
one said : ''It will not rain to-morrow for Barnitz has 
his picnic and he has been praying a week for fair 
weather." 

When the infant class was needing enlarging he 
laid it before the school with prayer, asking each 
scholar to buy or beg a brick. On the next Sunday 
7,000 bricks were piled up on the platform, several 
cartloads being sent in during the week. 

Dr. Barnitz had great power over an audience. At 
a great anniversary once the Christmas tree took fire. 
There was a panic threatening. Instantly the com- 
manding voice rang out, ''Sing!" Raising one hand 
to quiet the audience and using the other to beat the 
time, he led with his powerful voice, while the blaze 
was quickly extinguished. 

One Sunday morning an infant was presented at 
the altar for baptism. As he finished pouring the 
water on its head, the laughing babe seized and held 
one of his fingers. The ready smile on many faces 
was checked as Mr. Barnitz with simple words prayed : 
"Oh, Lord Jesus, as this little child has laid hold on the 
hand of Thy servant, so may it ever cling to Thee who 
alone art able to hold us safe amid the temptations of 
the world." 

Not the slightest tendency to irreverence was ever 
tolerated by Mr. Barnitz. Though witty by nature and 
possessing a fund of spicy humor which made him a 



74 SAMUEL BACON BARNlTZ. 

charming companion, he was never guihy of misplaced 
jesting. 

"And thus he went, this man of God, over the city, 
into homes and Hves, helping, encouraging, rebuk- 
ing in love, strengthening in faith." 

Those who knew Dr. Barnitz best agree with the 
writer of this tract that his great work was in his 
sympathy for every kind of distress. This it was 
that brought him so close to the hearts of the mis- 
sionaries. He knew their sufferings. He had himself 
waded in the same waters. 



CHAPTER X. 

CALI^ED AS WESTERN SECRETARY. 

At the meeting of the General Synod in Altoona, 
in June 1881, the Board of Home Missions was author- 
ized to employ a Western Traveling Missionary, who 
v.as subsequently designated the Western Secretary, 
as distinguished from the General Secretary, who re- 
sided in Baltimore. 

As if by pre-arrangement, certainly by the unani- 
mous feeHng of special fitness in the man, Rev. Samuel 
B. Barnitz, of Wheeling, W. Va., was, August 4th, 
1881, elected to fill the newly created office. Dr. Bar- 
nitz took the call as a call from God to a wider field 
of usefulness. After prayer, consultation with his 
brethren in the ministry, and conference with his own 
congregation at Wheeling, he decided to accept the 
call extended to him, and so notified the Board. 

For nearly twenty years he had known the lights 
and shades of a missionary's life in a busy city. He 
had seen his church grow from a feeble folk to be a 

75 



76 SAMUE:i, bacon BARNiTZ. 

great power in the community. But strong as the ties 
were that bound him to the smaller parish he saw the 
greater work, heard the voice of God, and without 
much difficulty decided that duty called him away. 

The farewell meeting in Wheeling indicated the 
strong hold which the missionary pastor had gained 
upon all the community. The largest church in the 
city (Presbyterian) scarcely held the people who came 
without regard to denomination. There were repre- 
sentatives present from every church in Wheeling, as 
well as from the Sunday School, temperance and phil- 
anthropic workers. Judge Johnson, of the Supreme 
Court, presided. The ministers of all churches were 
on the pulpit, the Matron and children from the Chil- 
dren's Home being on the right of the pulpit. The 
judge expressed their universal regret at parting, re- 
ferring eloquently to '*Mr. Barnitz's long and active 
career as a Christian minister and philanthropist in our 
midst, and assured him that so long as there was a 
Sabbath School in Wheeling, so long as there was a 
m.an here who had been reclaimed from a fallen and 
profligate life, so long as there was an orphan who 
had been aided and comforted by his hand and voice, 
he would be remembered with kindly feelings." 

The others from all churches followed in turn to 
say they were losing an untiring laborer, a wise coun- 
sellor and a sympathetic friend. 

In his response Dr. Barnitz modestly disclaimed 



CAI,t,KD AS WE^STt'RN SECRETARY. 77 

right to so much praise for his work in WheeHng. 
The sorrows of Hfe through which God had led him 
from his childhood, he declared, had prepared him for 
the work. When he first came to Wheeling some one 
told him there was no work for him in the city. He 
replied that it was very strange since there were in 
Wheeling twenty thousand people who never went to 
the House of God. 

Thus sorrowfully but confidently he went forth to 
the great West that was calling him. He had much 
comfort in the great changes wrought in the twenty 
years of his ministry, and often looked back upon those 
years with pleasure. 

The young men who entered the ministry from 
Wheeling through the influence of Dr. Barnitz's teach- 
ings were : Rev. C. A. Britt, Rev. F. S. Delo, Rev. F. 
G. Knapp, Rev. J. N. Zimmerman, and Rev. F. W. E. 
Peschau, D. D. 

Thus ended the first score of years in the busy 
pastor's life. He had been led of God in preparation 
for the larger field of the next score of years. He 
entered upon his new duties in the same Fall, render- 
ing his first report to the Board of Home Missions on 
the 2 1 St of November, 1881. 

From that date to the end of his service, June 12th, 
1902, the Western Secretary was in constant touch 
with the Board of Home Missions. He attended fre- 



yS SAMUEt BACON BARNITZ. 

quently in person the sessions of the Board. He ren- 
dered a full and detailed statement at each meeting 
of the Board of all his official acts during the preced- 
ing month, and thus laid before the official representa- 
tives of the General 'Synod whatever facts bore on the 
questions covering the territory over which his com- 
mission reached. He took up his residence at Des 
Moines, Iowa, whither he removed with his family, 
becoming members of St. John's Lutheran church in 
that city. Elsewhere in this volume it will be seen 
that in one of the years of Dr. Barnitz's service in the 
Western field he did not spend more than three active 
weeks of the year at Des Moines with his family, so 
closely and constantly was he devoted to the great 
work he had undertaken. 

Eleven times was he unanimously elected to the 
same position. Even in this Secretarial office he still 
retained the winning qualities which marked him as 
missionary and pastor. He was enlarging his sphere 
of usefulness. He became preacher, pastor, mission- 
ary and secretary, and for nearly twenty-one years 
gave all his strength, time and thought to the one 
purpose of his call, to build the church where there 
was none, and to "strengthen the things that remain." 

The full harvest from this faithful sowing will not 
be gathered till the end of time at the final in-gathering. 
It must be borne in mind, in estimating the personal 
sacrifices involved in this long term of devotion, that 



CAI.I,ED AS WESTERN SECRETARY. 79 

Dr. Barnitz was one of the most domestic and home- 
loving men. He was devoted to wife and children, 
yet he gave himself unreservedly to the work of Field 
Secretary. He was in the field almost without a break 
for twenty-one years. 



CHAPTER XI. 



A MODKL SECRETARY. 



Doctor Barnitz was in many respects an ideal sec- 
retary, especially for the wide field which he covered 
in the West. He was a tireless traveler. He planned 
out his campaigns in advance, like a missionary Na- 
poleon. 

There were certain things that entered into the 
making of the model secretary. Dr. Barnitz was most 
punctilious on such points as promptness, exactness, 
always meeting every engagement, replying to every 
communication, acknowledging every attention. In 
all these things he caught the railway spirit and culti- 
vated the methods of careful business men. It would 
be impossible, within the lim.its of a brief outline such 
as is here attempted, to set out in order a detailed 
account of the journeyings and labors of Dr. Barnitz. 
His reports to the Board he served make a wealth of 
material in which the historian of the Lutheran 
Church's development may mine in a coming genera- 
tion. The aim of this sketch is only to present a rapid 
survey of the most striking events of the life and toilg 



A MODJ:i, SliCRKTARY. 8 1 

of this man of God. The missions established on the 
Western field might have all been given by name. 
They would have made a goodly showing, as their num- 
ber is legion. The list of these missions which have 
become self-supporting might have been enumerated, 
together with the amounts they annually contribute to 
the support of the Boards of the church. These facts 
and figures are all recorded in the proper place. They 
have been reported to the General Synod at sundry 
times and are too much in the nature of dry statistics 
to be made a part of this history. 

The story of his work in the West for twenty 
years is really the history of our church in the West 
during that time. It was the day of small things when 
Dr. Barnitz began his duties as the first Western Sec- 
retary. There had been pioneers who did much in a 
sporadic way, but he first brought the entire field from 
the Ohio to the Rocky Mountains and later the Pacific 
Coast to the attention of the church. 

He was so completely identified with all that was 
done in these formative years that a history of his 
work would be a history of all the church development 
on this vast territory. 

His voluminous reports now in possession of the 
Home Mission Board v/ill one day be used for the 
purpose of showing the methods we have adopted to 
develop a great church from diverse and scattered 
materials. He kept his eyes upon the whole field ; he 



82 SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. 

informed himself as to its needs ; he gave this informa- 
tion to the Board, and to the church ; he brought maps, 
charts and banners with him to the synods to stimulate 
interest in his work. He believed in reaching the mind 
through the eye as well as by the ear. In looking over 
the files of the Wheeling city papers for the twenty 
years of Dr. Barnitz's missionary service in that city, 
this thought is impressed on one. For a long time he 
is the only minister in the city who advertised his 
Sunday services. Throughout his entire ministry he 
was always watchful that the newspaper be used as a 
help in his work. Not for his own glory but to adver- 
tise the work and reach men. 

He would plan out a trip of 10,000 miles of travel, 
arrange with missions and missionaries for the dates, 
fix every detail of the journey beforehand, preach and 
lecture at fifty points by the way, write a full report of 
it all for the next meeting of the Board, and not seem 
to be busy to those who casually met him on the jour- 
ney. "It was," as Dr. Charles Albert described it after 
making such a trip in company with Dr. Barnitz, "3. 
wonderful example of that painstaking care and splen- 
did executive power which characterized him and was 
one of the sources of his strength." 

By all legitimate means he sought to awaken an 
interest in his cause, arouse enthusiasm, stimulate giv- 
ing and multiply himself in usefulness to God's glory. 
He noted the important fields. His judgment was safe. 



A MODEt SECRETARY. 83 

He could say that the Board should abandon a field as 
well as urge the inauguration of work. He did not 
believe in wasting the church's money by a duplication 
of machinery. 

In one of his early visits to the farther Northwest 
he was impressed with the wisdom of dividing the 
territory of the Pacific, allowing the General Council 
the Northern division, the General Synod to develop 
California and the Southern territory. To this view 
he brought the Boards and the compact though not 
absolutely binding, has been observed ever since. Dr. 
Barnitz made visits to the Northwest, and was on most 
friendly terms with missionaries of all branches of the 
church, but he never took steps to establish a mission 
that would infringe upon the territory of any other 
Board. He was the soul of honor in every personal 
and synodical engagement. 

He early felt the need of a ministry trained upon 
the field over which he had the supervision. For this 
reason he strongly advocated the establishment of a 
college and theological school at some point west of 
the Missouri River. He was active in founding Mid- 
land College in 1887, and the Western Theological 
Seminary in 1893, being a member of the Board of 
Education to the time of his death. 

The president of Midland College at the time of 
Dr. Barnitz's death, Rev. J. A. Clutz, has justly said: 



84 SAMUIi:t BACON BARNIT^. 

**He was one of the most active and zealous 
of the friends of the new institutions, and gladly 
gave time and influence, and means also, according 
to his ability, to place them upon a safe and per- 
manent basis. And now he has gone, but his work 
and influence will abide, his name and memory 
will be rem.embered and cherished in all the years 
to come, as of one who wrought unselfishly and 
wisely for the building up of the church and the 
glory of God.' 

The Board of Education when it came to take 
action upon the death of Dr. Barnitz, its vice-president 
and a member of the Executive Committee, called the 
attention of the General Synod to the fact that he was 
one of the charter members of that Board, and fur- 
ther that he had never been absent from its biennial 
meeting. Nothing could better indicate the wide reach 
of the man's influence as well as his faithful attention 
^o every duty, even the smallest. 

He left a bequest for the Board of Education so 
that as long as the Board continues its work he might 
have a small share in aiding its noble endeavors. 

It was a touching and telling evidence of the con- 
fidence that attended all his goings that the day of his 
death a letter arrived at his home containing a check 
for $1,000.00 for the work of the Home Mission Board. 
All along his ministry the stream of benevolence 



A MODKL SE:CRE:TARY. 85 

flowed from those who believed in the sincerity of the 
man and knew the value of his work. 

Nothing could divert him from his appointed work. 
We sat for hours on the seats that lined the Washing- 
ton streets watching the Inauguration of President 
Cleveland. In reality it was a prolonged conference 
on home missions. We went to the White House to 
attend a President's evening reception. Above the 
band, 'the crush of the people and the babble of the 
idiotic multitude, was Dr. Barnitz's serious word, won- 
dering where to get more money for his great work. 
We watched the legislators in the Senate halls, but 
their labors seemed to him dignified trifling beside his 
greater mission to make the country righteous, while 
they were aiming only to make it prosperous. He 
loved his home as much as any man who ever had a 
home, but he could remain away from it for weeks at 
a time that he might plant a new mission to prepare 
men, women and children for the eternal Home. 

Dr. Barnitz served twenty years on the Executive 
Committee of the International Sunday School Com- 
mittee. He helped to establish the Augsburg Teacher, 
and the Sunday School Lesson Helps, editing the news 
department of the Teacher for several years. He was 
the first editor of The Little Ones, and brought that 
child's paper to a large circulation. 

He was once called to the presidency of the Mid- 
land College, the building of which he zealously pro- 



86 SAMUKI. BACON BARNITZ. 

moted. He declined this call from purely consci- 
entious convictions, believing that he could do most 
good in the mission field. He was an active promoter 
of the work of the Young Men's Christian Association 
in its earlier days, and never lost his deep interest in 
that organization. 

In addition to all his other exacting duties Dr. 
Barnitz lectured several seasons at the original Cha- 
tauqua, and was one of the active founders of the Rock 
River Assembly at Dixon, 111. 



CHAPTER XII. 

A MODEI. secretary's REPORT. 

Every member of the Board of Home Missions, 
during the time when Doctor Barnitz was the Western 
Secretary, will understand a little of the secret of the 
success of their agent in the field, by the careful reports 
that were sent in to the Board each month. These 
papers were most carefully written. They covered 
every point of the field touched by the Secretary during 
the month. Each report was fully indexed so that 
every item in it could be referred to at once by the 
Secretary of the Board. The missionaries in the vari- 
ous stations were commended, criticised, recommended 
for reduction or advance in allowance, or change of 
station, as the case might be, with such complete 
knowledge of the men and the needs of the field as 
made it clear to all the Board what their action 
should be. 

These reports would make a history of the mission 
field for the twenty years covered by Doctor Barnitz's 
term of service. It has been recommended that they 
be gathered up and placed in the Historical Society at 

87 



88 SAMUKL BACON BARNITZ. 

Gettysburg. The day will come wheti they would be 
invaluable, a kind of Hallische Nachrichten of West- 
ern missions that would make a mine of information 
for the future historian of the church. 

In order to give the people of our congregations 
some idea of the faithfulness with which their home 
mission money is used, it might be interesting to set 
forth one of these reports in the detail with which the 
Western Secretary sent them to Baltimore monthly. 
The report that follows w^as taken out of a pile in the 
General Secretary's office, selected at random, and is 
here given just as it came from Dr. Barnitz's hand. 
For obvious reasons the names of persons in some 
cases are omitted. The index is also omitted. The 
Secretary had a printed heading which made the open- 
ing of all the reports identical in form. The lapse of 
fourteen years since this report was prepared will make 
it the more interesting, in comparison with the present 
conditions. 

Report of Western Secretary, Board oe Home Missions, 
General Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in U. S. 

To meeting held November loth, 1891. 

I. Kansas. A. The Synod of Kansas. 

On acount of a railroad detention, I did not reach the 
Kansas Synod at Emporia, Ks., until Saturday noon, Octo- 
ber 24. This was a matter of regret to me, but as Home 



A MODKI. SKCRinWRv'S REPORT. 89 

Mission interests had been postponed until that time, and as 
they had spent a day or more "wrangling over the synodical 
secretary business," into which discussion the Board might 
have been drawn, it was perhaps an advantage to have been 
detained. 

The synodical meeting was not regarded as equal to the 
meetings of some other years, as the "who shall be greatest?" 
question was very manifest, and there were disputings about 
things to no profit. The debate on "admitting women as 
delegates to conferences," occupied nearly a day — the debaters 
being Rev. F. M P., of Topeka, Ks., in favor, and Rev. J. M. 
C, of Kansas City, in opposition. 

While the synod raised more money in the gross than they 
raised in 1890, they have fallen short on apportionment, but 
give assurance that what is lacking will be more than made 
up this year. Times are still very hard, the new and splendid 
crops not yet being turned into money. The synod rescinded 
the action of last year concerning the evening services during 
the convention and set apart two evenings for the hearing of 
the Secretaries. The congregaition and pastor at Emporia 
demanded that the general benevolent work of the church be 
presented by the secretaries of the various Boards, in order 
that the people might hear of the work from those directly 
engaged in it. 

I. Bunker Hai,, Ellsworth, Hays City, and Adjacent 
Points. 
It is proposed, if possible, to group these places, and for a 



90 SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. 

time, at least, place them under the care of one or two pastors 
or missionaries. At Ellsworth, nearly the entire congregation 
has been lost by removals, and all the points have suffered 
in this way. Rev. H. L. Yarger, formerly pastor at Ells- 
worth, secretary of synod, and member of Advisory Mission 
Board, will visit all the points this week, and, if possible, get 
me a complete report to mail with this. The best men in the 
synod are in hearty agreement with this plan, and believe that 
this manner of supplying the field will hold what we have until 
other members can be added, and will develop new territory 
in the country near the towns and county seats. Meanwhile, 
I have given .assurance to Rev. H. A. K. that he will receive 
his salary at the rate of $200.00 per year from Oct. i, until 
such time as the new arrangement can be reported and acted 
upon. This is but due him as a most faithful and self-sacri- 
ficing man_, especially as he continues to do the work. I have 
urged him to go forward with the work of building at Excel- 
sior, as that will add another church property to the field and 
make more permanent the organization at that point. Rev. 
E. B. K. has resigned at Hayes City, and has no doubt re- 
ported same to the Board. 

2. Minneapolis. 

The delegate from this mission reported "everything in as 
good condition as can be expected, with no pastor on the 
ground. Sunday School, prayer meeting, and W. H. and F. 
M. Soc. kept up and doing well." Rev. J. F. S. visited the 
field on Sunday, Oct. 24, but I have no report of his visit, 



A MODEL secretary's REPORT. 9I 

neither of impressions received or made. Sec. of Synod, 
Yarger, will also visit Minneapolis at an early date and make 
full report. 

3. Manchester. Rev. J. A. B. has been supplying this field 
since the removal of Rev. J. F. A young man from the Synod 
of Indiana (G. C), just ordained by the Synod of Kansas, 
preached for the congregations Oct. 24, with a view of becom- 
ing their pastor. Rev. J. F., former missionary, is now at 
Hardy, Neb. He is a good, straight, self-sacrificing man. He 
had left Emporia before I got there, so that I could not have 
a personal interview with him. Rev. H. L. Y. will visit this 
field on his trip to Ellsworth. 

4. Chapman. There is a great desire on the part of the 
Advisory Board of Synod of Kansas, the Synod itself, and 
the congregation at Chapman to secure a good pastor, and 
one of s-o-me ability. This is a necessity in order to give our 
church and work the right kind of standing and prestige in 
Chapman. The town has one of the State Normal Schools 
located in it, with several hundred students, and we must 
therefore have a good man in order that tht Lutheran church 
be properly represented. After careful inquiry, I am con- 
vinced that we had better make an rappropriation of two hun- 
dred or two hundred and fifty dollars to Chapman, if thereby 
we can secure a pastor who will do us credit, rather than 
$100.00, (or no appropriation at all), for a man who cannot 
properly represent us. Rev. E- B. K, of Hays City, Ks., 



92 SAMUE:i, bacon BARNITZ. 

preached at Chapman October 24. See letter from Chapman, 
Ks., marked A. 

5. Emporia. The pews have been placed in the church at 
Emporia, and now our House of Worship at that place is a 
very "gem." The wise and careful builder, Rev. F. D. Alt- 
man, has in Rev. S. G. Dornblaser, our present missionary, a 
good successor, and the work at Emporia is doing well. 
Though the Board of Church Extension is pressing for the 
return of a portion of their loan, the congregation feel that 
their first duty is to reduce the amount asked from the Board 
of Home Missions, and to this end they promise to work. 
Our church stands well in Emporia. 

6. Leavenworth. Rev. F. D. A. will visit Leavenworth 
this week, and try to get the congregation to decide on a 
pastor. If Rev. Mr. C, of Fairfield, Iowa, has not been 
called to Ft. Madison, the congregation at Leavenworth will 
likely call him. If he is not available, Bro. A. will suggest 
Rev. A. J. H., who is very anxious for a field of labor, and 
whose physical condition is now equal to hard work. 

7. Ottawa and Garnett. Synod decided to grant the 
request of these congregations for a separation, and I had in- 
serted in the resolution — "provided no additional appropria- 
tion be asked from the Board of Home Missions." The divi- 
sion is to take place by mutual consent sometime during the 
year. The field is said to be entirely too large and too im- 
portant for one man. There are also neighboring points re- 



A MODEL SECRETARY S REPORT. 93 

ported, which the pastor at Garnett says can be developed and 
served from Garnett Sunday afternoons. The Board of 
Church Extension have given the congregation at Ottawa 
permission to move the church building to a more central 
location, and it is thought that this change, and the fact of a 
number of new Lutheran families moving to Ottawa, will 
strengthen our work in this good county-seat. See letter 
marked B. It will not surprise m.e, however, if an additional 
appropriation is asked for Ottawa. Rev. D. S. A, talks of 
wanting "one of the best men that can be had for Ottawa." 
I kindly warned the Synod and Advisory Board that they 
must not ask for any more money for Kansas SjTiod territory 
than they have been receiving, but must reduce the appro- 
priations in favor of other needy States and territories. 

8. Valley Falls. The parochial report from this mission 
was said at synod to have been the best rendered for several 
years. Especially was this the case in the contributions. 

9. Washington, Greenleaf, and Barnes. These points 
have all been temporarily placed under the supervision of Rev. 
J. F. S., pastor at Waterville. The "Joint Synod of Ohio" has 
sent a missionary to Washington, Ks., who has almost de- 
stroyed our General Synod work in that county-seat. Between 
the un-Lutheran, ^lethodistic, wild-fire practices of Rev. Mr. 
— . and the conduct of this Joint Synod "disturber of the 
peace" of Zion. the work at Washington has been well nigh 
destroved. There will be an effort made to wrest from us 



94 SAMUKI. BACON BARNITZ. 

the parsonage property, but the hope is that Rev. Mr. S. can 
prevent it, hold together our faithful ones, and pferhaps bring 
order out of confusion. 

10. Wellington. If Rev. Mr. B., know^n to members of 
the Board, is satisfactory, and aid to the amount of $75 or 
$100, be asked for, I believe it will be wise to grant it. It 
will have an admirable effect on the congregation at Perth, 
who have gotten it into their heads that "No Board cares for 
them." 

12. Wichita. Monday night, Oct. 26, was spent with this 
mission. A congregation of thirty gathered to hear of our 
Home Mission work, and seemed deeply interested. The hall 
has put on quite a changed and churchly appearance through 
the efforts of the faithful women of the little flock. ... It 
seems to me that the time has come to buy property, as bot- 
tom prices have evidently been reached, and if the Board of 
Church Extension could but see this, such encouragement 
would be given the congregation as no other thing can give 
the work at W. The missionary is making great sacrifices. 
The family are evidently doing without many things on the 
table, and in the way of clothing, to enable them to make 
ends meet and keep out of debt, and thus keep up the work 
and their own reputation for honesty. 

13. Kansas City. Children's Memorial. The main 
building of the "Children's Memorial" at Kansas City is now 
under roof, and the work of completion will be pushed with 



A MODEL SECRETARY S REPORT. 95 

vigor. The edifice will be completed some time in December, 
and will be alike creditable to the mission congregation and 
our Lutheran Church. 

II. Missouri. A. St. Joseph, Document marked C is 
the report of Rev. Dr. J. A. Clutz, on the visit of himself and 
Rev. B. F. Crounse to St. Joseph, Mo. Letter marked D from 
Rev. Dr. Charles Martin, of St. Joseph, also refers to the 
opening of a mission at "St. Joe." . . . Without doubt, the 
right thing to do is to send a missionary to St. Joe, having 
an understanding with the Board of Church Extension that 
they will enter the field with us, following up our work by 
aiding in the securing of church property at an early day. 
Our experience everywhere has been that to organize without 
a regular pastor, and have the mission wait several months — 
excepting in very rare cases, where good supplies can be 
regularly furnished — is almost ruinous. Nearly all the mis- 
sions supplied by students from the Philadelphia Seminary 
for the General Council Home Mission Committee, remained 
vacant after the students returned to the Seminary, and have 
gone to pieces. If we have a field, the wise thing to do is 
to occupy it with a good man, just as soon as it is possible to 
secure him. 

B. St. Louis. Second Church. There are some develop- 
ments in St. Louis of a very interesting character, which 
point to the early establishment of a second English Lutheran 
Church of the General Synod, which will no doubt soon mean 



g6 SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. 

a third and fourth one. The matter must not be spoken of 
as yet outside of the Board, but unless all indications are at 
fault, the second church movement will soon be inaugurated. 
.... The colony only wait Dr. Rhodes' sanction to begin work. 
He will be zvise to give it his entire and hearty favor, and thus 
make himself and St. Marks leaders in the movement. ... If 
St. Marks will only encourage the second church movement 
it will be, in the end, an advantage to them. The people who 
favor it live at such a distance from St. Marks that in time 
they will be lost to us, while a second church in their locality 
will save them to the Lutheran Church. This movement will 
be watched with intense interest, as it means much for the 
development of the work of the General Synod in Missouri 
and Central Illinois. Hail the Glad Day! 

Ill, The Rocky Mountain Synod. This Synod held 
its first convention since organization in St. Paul's (Woman's 
Second Memorial) Evangelical Lutheran Church, Denver, Col., 
Oct. 28, 1891, and for a young and small synod showed much 
vigor and earnest church life. Eight pastors and three lay- 
delegates were present, and three pastors absent, one on ac- 
count of great distance, two on account of sickness. Of 
the members of synod, six are American, two German, and 
three Scandinavian. We have a most inviting field in Col- 
orado, if only suitable ministers can be secured to occupy it. 
... I remained with the synod from the opening to the 
close, and helped on nearly every report, advising against 
many thing?, which did not seem wise, and suggesting others 



A MODEL SH:CRE:'rARY'S REPORT. 97 

for the good of Zion. The members of the synod seemed 
deeply grateful to the Board for this visit and five days' work. 

A. Denver, i. St. Paul's. The application from this 
congregation will ask for same amount as last year, and in- 
deed it is difficult to see how Rev. and Mrs. K. can make 
ends meet and not belittle the work even with this appropria- 
tion. . . . Amid all their losses by removal, and all their 
other trials, they have raised $1,080.00 to pay on their church 
debt, and also several hundred dollars to pay on the parson- 
age. The Sunday School pleased me very much, especially 
the large class of young men. So also did the young people's 
society. . . . Rev. and Mrs. K., and indeed the whole con- 
gregation, seem to regret the need of asking the same amount 
as last year, but the success of the work demands that the 
pastor be, at least, comfortable, and free from financial em- 
barrassment. 

2 Scandinavian. I do not believe that we are justified 
in continuing an appropriation to Rev. H. for this work. We 
have indeed very little to show for our expenditure in the way 
of a congregation or results. . . . He says they have $800 
interest to pay, having borrowed money with which to build 
dwelling houses on the property. Some of these are now 
vacant, and the "investment" is not proving profitable. I told 
him it would not be right for us to appropriate Home Mission 
money to keep up that kind of speculation. I am sure that 
our money can be used to better advantage elsewhere. 



98 samui:l bacon barnitz. 

B. IvEADViLLE. There is evidently not much harmony and 
not much love between the two pastors, Rev. S. and Rev. H. 
at this place. I told Rev. — that at times he shows the very 
spirit of the devil, and seldom indeed the spirit of the Master. 
He says Secretary Hartman suggested a visit to Leadville 
on my part with a view to an investigation of the differences 
between the Swedish and Norwegian congregations worship- 
ing in the same church, and an adjustment of these difficulties. 
Such a visit would be futile and only involve our Board in 
matters of which we are now free. . . . The question in dis- 
pute has been the use of the church edifice owned by the Board 
of Church Extension, and Vv'e do well to keep our hands out 
of that business. 

C. Colorado Springs. Finding that Rev. H. had not 
given his resignation to the congregation at Colorado Springs, 
I told him that he should send it to the Secretary of the Church 
Council at once, in order that there may be no delay in filling 
the vacancy. . . . On learning of Dr. H.'s resignation I at 
once opened correspondence with Rev. F. L. S., of Camden, 
Ind., concerning his accepting that mission, and believe he 
will do so. . . . The Colorado climate may be the means of 
restoring him to vigorous health. ... A man of the order 
and ability of Bro. S. will soon have our church affairs in 
solid and substantial shape. 

D. Pueblo. This growing manufacturing city ought to 
be occupied at an early day. Not only for the sake of Pueblo, 



A MODEL se:cretary's REPOR'T. 99 

but for the strengthening of the Rocky Mountain Synod, 
should v/e have an earnest American missionary in this city, 
and also for the sake of important points opening up in the 
neighborhood. The more we look at and study our Home 
Mission field, the more overwhelming it becomes, and the 
louder comes the cry and command to occupy ! occupy ! ! 

E. Gypsum and Starkville. New church edifices at 
these places are nearly ready for dedication — the latter under 
the care of Rev. Mr. S., recently ordained by the Rocky Moun- 
tain Synod. 

IV. Nebraska. A. Sidney. The fearful drouth of last 
year, and the hard times incident to it, make it difficult to keep 
up the support of a pastor, and I should not be surprised, 
therefore, if the same amount be asked as heretofore. There 
must be a falling off in the contributions of the congrega- 
tion, or at least, no increase, until the new crops are turned 
into money. All these things must be taken into considera- 
tion with the application. The M. E. pastor could not be sup- 
ported last year, and their church was closed part of the time. 
This left our church the only one having regular services. 

B. Beatrice. This mission seems much encouraged since 
the meeting of the Synod of Nebraska, and the dedication of 
their House of Worship. See Letter G. 

C. Pawnee. See letter marked H. There is encourage- 



iOO SAMUE:t BACON BARNl'TZ. 

ment in this mission also. The new church in the country 
congregation will be dedicated Sunday, Nov. 15. 

V. Illinois. A. Southern Illinois Synod. As already 
reported, the convention of the S. Ills. Synod for 1891, was 
the best ever held by that body. If only we can strengthen 
this synod by opening a few new missions and thus adding a 
few good men, the results in a few years will be most fruitful. 
See letter marked I. 

I. Cairo. Where shall we turn for a good man for this 
field? We ought to begin operations at an early day, lest a 
very favorable opportunity be lost. 

B. Northern Illinois. The convention of this sjaiod was 
also a most excellent one, the contributions having been large- 
ly increased over former years. The work of the synod has 
been systematized by the officers, and there is order and de- 
velopment. The territory is one of the richest in the bounds 
of the General Synod, and ought to be a much greater power 
than it is in all our church work. The Freeport mission has 
been a prominent factor in the development of this synod, its 
pastor being "ready to every good work," and earnest in 
advocacy of all the benevolent work of the church. At my 
first visit in 1881 the offerings for Home Missions were $346.91, 
and at the recent convention they were over $800.00. Every 
department of the work has come up in almost the same pro- 
portion, and this is gratifying. 



A MODi^t se:cre:tary's re:port. ioi 

VI. Indiana. A. Synod of Northern Indiana. This 
synod shows signs of improvement superior to many and in- 
ferior to none. The increase in contributions over 1890 was 
thirty-five per cent, and the spirit of the convention most re- 
freshing. It was good to be there. The "toning up" is quite 
marked, and is due to efficient and wide awake officers, to 
visitation of charges by Secretaries and Professors, and to 
the new men sent in by the Board of Home Missions, and 
their influence, as also to the splendid work of the W. H. and 
F, M. ^Societies. The synod considered the most important 
matters they could discuss or hear of, to be missions and 
Christian education, and to these they gave most of their time. 

B. OuvE Branch Synod. In this body also there is 
progress, marked progress, and it has come through our Home 
Mission work at Louisville, Ky., Richmond, and Indianapolis, 
Ind., etc. Rev. J. W. Kapp, Prest., has been most efficient in 
stirring up the old churches and looking out new points. The 
territory is one vast Home Mission field of richest promise. 
Oh ! that we had the men and money to go in and occupy it. 

VII. Iowa. A. Synod of Iowa. The convention of 1891 
was one marked by harmony and earnestness in every depart- 
ment of the work. Very grateful for the aid granted them 
by the Board, they feel they cannot ask more, but look with 
desire upon Clinton, Dubuque, Ottumwa, etc., as most prom- 
ising and desirable fields for Home Mission operations. 



I02 SAMUEt BACON BARiSTlTZ. 

1. Fort Madison. As yet I have no report from Dr. Z., 
concerning congregational meeting held Oct. ii, 1891, at which 
time they expected to elect a pastor and arrange to transfer 
the property to the General Synod. 

2. Council Bluffs. This new mission is doing splendidly, 
and Rev. G. W. S. is showing himself a workman that need 
not be ashamed. The need, the pressing need, is a church 
property. Application has been made to the Church Extension 
Board to help secure a lot. 

VIII. Miscellaneous. A. The visitation of Synods and 
conventions of W. H. and F. M. societies this year has been 
very cheering and encouraging. In not a single instance were 
there reflections upon the Board, its policy, or its work. I 
have visited eleven synods and six W. H. and F. M. societies' 
conventions and have found enthusiasm on all sides. 

B. October meeting. 

C. Luther Day Observer. 

D. Box Work, etc., etc. 

That the November meeting may be "3. great meeting," 
full of encouragement to every member of the Board and the 
whole church, is the prayer of 

Yours very gratefully, 

SAMX B. BARNITZ, 

W. Sec'y. 
Des Moines, la., Nov. 7, 1891. 



A modh:l siccre:tary s Rii:poRT. 103 

This report has been given at length, though seem- 
ing not entitled to so much space for any matter con- 
tained in it, in order to put before the church what has 
been designated as a model report. The detail of it is 
its value. The situation at each point, and at the 
synods visited, is made luminous. The information is 
all pertinent, with no gossip, and no bias. Such a re- 
port makes the work of a Board member comparatively 
easy. The men, the fields, all stand before the Board 
in such clear light that in most cases the only thing to 
do is to act on the recommendation of the Secretary in 
the field. The marvel of Doctor Barnitz's work is in 
his attention to all the details. Nothing escaped him. 
No fact was unimportant, if it helped to open a field 
of Christian work. 

Month by month he poured forth a stream of in- 
formation concerning men, synods, new fields, money, 
and the way to get it, plans for enlarging the work, or 
contracting in some instances for the good of the 
church. The Board was often bewildered by the 
wealth of material, and frequently the whole day would 
be occupied in disposing of the business created by 
Dr. Barnitz's report alone. 



CHAPTER XIII. 



IN WEARINESS AND PAINEULNESS. 

The best way to understand the manner of the 
work done by Dr. Barnitz as Western Secretary will 
be to look into his own record, made at the time. He 
no longer needed to keep the diary such as he had 
undertaken at Wheeling. His voluminous reports to 
the Home Mission Board at Baltimore, and his letters 
to friends, disclose a marvellous activity. He seemed 
frequently to be aware that he could not long maintain 
the pace at which he was then traveling. In one letter 
to a life-long friend in Philadelphia, he writes under 
date of March 20, 1894: 

"All you say concerning the 'rush' and 'push' for 

the things of this life is, alas ! too true. If anything, it 

is more true of the West than of the East. There are 

times when I fairly long for a little more rest, a little 

'let-up' from the pressure and drive by day and by 

night. 'There will be rest by and by,' is a hymn I love 

to sing. Since March 3rd I have preached and talked 

publicly over twenty times, besides hundreds of miles 

104 



IN WE)ARINE:SS and PAINJPUIvNESS. I05 

of travel, and writing scores of letters, and pages of 
reports. Amid all this I have been kept well, and at 
times greatly refreshed in refreshing and helping 
others." 

There were no lengths to which he would not travel 
if he had a clue to lead to something helpful for his 
cause. The Board remembers well one case in the year 
1899. Dr. Barnitz received a letter from a Lutheran 
layman in Minnesota, hitherto unknown to him, enclos- 
ing a gift for Home Missions. From some word 
dropped in the letter Dr. Barnitz concluded that here 
vras an isolated brother longing for word of his church. 
Busy as the Western Secretary always was, he at once 
determined that it was his duty to travel hundreds 
of miles out of his way to find this solitary member of 
the church. This is the missionary spirit. For Dr. 
Barnitz to have an impulse for good was to follow at 
once. Hence he turned his course to Northern Minne- 
sota. Here is what he writes from the ground, after 
he had made the journey: 

"Nov. 22, 1899, O — , Minn. 

In order to please and encourage a faithful 
but isolated Lutheran, I have made this journey 
of nearly nine hours each way. It has cost much 
weariness and some exposure, but Oh ! the joy 
and blessing the visit seems to him words cannot 



lo6 SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. 

describe. The things of the Kingdom, and the 
church of his love and of his father's, are the up- 
permost things with him. The pastor who instruct- 
ed him more than forty years ago has a warm place 
in his hearty and as a 'Memorial' to him he has 
made a gift of $1,000.00 to our Western Theologi- 
cal Seminary. He has seen much sorrow and 
trial, as have all of us, but sanctified thereby, he 
'brings forth fruit in old age.' He took me to 
see one of our disabled and retired ministers — 
now eighty-seven years old — and the visit was an 
uplift to him. We sang together the songs of 
Zion, and talked of the Master and His coming. 
The old man's daughter said : 'This will be a day 
to which father will often look back with great 
joy." 

What a scene was that ! The aged pastor, the aged 
layman, and the misionary who had traveled nearly 
a thousand miles to give the cheer of his presence. 
When the Saviour gave the promise to the meeting of 
two or three. He must have meant a special blessing 
for such a trio. Did it pay? Does it pay to do our 
Home Mission work on such lines? Most assuredly, 
in dollars and cents it pays ! Dr. Barnitz came away 
with an offering of a thousand dollars, and had others 
subsequently from the same source. But what a mean 
thing to introduce the commercial question in con- 



IN WEARINi:SS AND PAIN^ULNESS. I07 

nection with such a saintly and heroic piece of mis- 
sionary devotion. 

This was the method of the man. No sacrifice too 
great in order to promote his cause. Attending 
to every Httle indication of Providence that he might 
win a soul, make a giver, or comfort a stricken heart. 
The letter, from which the above extract is made, con- 
cludes : "Home, though to stay only thirty-six hours. 
The trip to Minnesota was a trying one physically, 
but a blessed one otherwise, and I can well afiford 
weariness of body, in view of the good done and the 
hearts cheered. To-morrow morning I must up early, 
and off to Carthage, 111., for five addresses." 

Truly was it an Apostolic mission, which Paul's 
description fits at many points. ''In labors more 
abundant; in journey ings often; in perils in the city; 
in perils in the wilderness ; in weariness and painful- 
ness ; in watchings often ; besides those things that are 
without, that which cometh daily, the care of all the 
mission churches. . . . Truly the signs of an 
apostle were wrought among us." 

An instance of Dr. Barnitz's carefulness in the 
details of newspaper notices, and seeming trifles, is 
found in the fact that in his weakness, only three 
weeks prior to his death, he wrote one of the German 
church papers, the Zions-Bofe, under date of May 23, 
as follows : 



I08 SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. 

"I regret that I must report my condition as 
very little improved by my California trip, and am 
now ordered by my physicians and Board to re- 
main at home for absolute rest. I will therefore 
do no traveling and no public speaking for some 
months to come, but will attend to important 
office work only and try to build myself up again. 
I had no idea of being so run down as I find I 
am. 

The July, 1902, number of the Missionary Journal, 
which appeared after the burial of Dr. Barnitz, con- 
tained a long budget of ''Home Mission Items," writ- 
ten by him only a few days before his death. They 
were the notes made during his last missionary jour- 
ney on the Pacific Coast, covering the state of the 
churches in San Francisco, Oakland, Alameda, Sac- 
ramento, San Jose, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Boulder, 
Col., and Butte, Montana. Dr. Barnitz was in the 
San Francisco church April 20, 1902, less than two 
months prior to his death. A street-car strike was 
prevailing in the city, and he says in his notes : 

"It was a great compliment to the Board of 
Home Missions and their representative that some 
persons walked five miles in order to be present 
at that service." 




ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, DES MOINES. 



IN WEARINESS AND PAINFULNI^SS. IO9 

At night he spoke at Alameda to the Woman's 
Synodical Society, doubtless himself walking several 
miles to reach the appointment. Of Sacramento he 
writes : ''When I remember what zve did not have in 
Sacramento thirteen years ago and what we now have, 
I cannot but say, 'Behold, what hath God wrought.' " 

Here he went to the German church, for he would 
not slight any. He says : 

"I urged the boys to think of the ministry, 
and to liberal giving for the cause of Home Mis- 
sions. Pastor Oehler and his people greatly ap- 
preciated this call, as they had not expected to 
see me because of the condition of my health." 

Probably his last communion was in the course 
of this last missionary journey. He was seeking 
health, yet he turns aside on the way home to admin- 
ister the communion in Santa Fe, New Mexico, to a 
family cut off for years from their own church, "who 
had not seen a Lutheran minister since the visit of the 
Western Secretary two years ago." After describing 
this touching scene in the missionary's experience, he 
adds : "It was indeed the 'communion of saints,' and 
the manifest presence of our Lord and Saviour was 
felt. No pen can describe the joy it gave these peo- 
ple." 



no SAMUEL BACON BARNlTZ. 

Thus the end drew near, and in a few weeks the 
missionary, weary with his travels and forty years of 
carrying cheer to others, was set free from his labors 
to rest with his Master in Heaven. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

HIS WORK IN CAU^ORNIA. 

The development of the Lutheran Church in Cal- 
ifornia is coincident with the period of Dr. Barnitz's 
period of service as Western Secretary. It was the 
part of his field which commanded his constant at- 
tention. As it grew he felt justly proud of the results. 
The members of the Board in the period of the inaugur- 
ation of the California work will recall the report of 
the Secretary on the Sacramento mission. His faith 
seemed almost audacious as he declared, after going 
over the ground with the missionary — "We do not seem 
to have any Lutherans that we can discover, but there 
are thousands in the city unchurched, and the names on 
the signs of the streets indicate a Lutheran origin for 
many of the people, so we will go on with our work." 
The result is known to-day in the strong self-support- 
ing church in Sacramento under Dr. Hoskinson, the 
early missionary to whom we refer, and the only pastor 
from the beginning. 

One of our most active and intelligent laymen of 
the California Svnod, G. G. Burnett, M. D., has fur- 



112 SAMUKI. BACON BARNITZ. 

nished by request a brief sketch of this Cahfornia de- 
velopment under Dr. Barnitz. It is inserted in full, 
showing graphically the results of Dr. Barnitz's labors 
in one portion of his great field. Dr. Burnett writes 
under date of July i8th, 1905, as follows: 

The life of Rev. S. B. Barnitz, D. D., would not be com- 
plete without reference to the splendid work he accompHshed 
on the Western coast of our continent, under the supervision 
of the Board of Home Missions of the General Synod of the 
Evangelical Lutheran Church of the U. S., — as its Western 
Secretary, — and the direct support of the Women's Home and 
Foreign Missionary Society. This latter society was founded 
about twenty years ago. From small beginnings in member- 
ship and receipts, it has become a powerful adjunct in fur- 
thering the work of the Board of Home Missions, through 
its thousands of members, and its tens of thousands of dollars 
in its annual available funds. As soon as organized, the 
ladies began to make inquiries about special fields of work, and 
it was but natural that Dr. Barnitz should be called into their 
councils. At that time Kansas and Nebraska were about the 
Western limits of the work of our church. With eyes ever 
open for future opportunities. Dr. Barnitz could easily see 
the possibilities awaiting the Church on our Western borders. 
Not a single English-speaking church existed along the Pacific 
coast, and to Dr. Barnitz's efforts in presenting the needs to 
the ladies, and the prompt acceptance of California as their 
special field of labor, is due the bright future in prospect for 



HIS WORK IN CAU^ORNIA. II3 

the church in that great State. The first mission established 
was in San Francisco, under Rev. O. C. Miller, now a chaplain 
in the cavalry service of the U. S. Army. It is a splendid 
monument of the women's work. In a little over one year it 
numbered nearly 200 members, became self-supporting, and 
owns a beautiful church structure, valued at $60,000.00. This 
marvelous work was speedily followed by Rev. C. W. 
Heisler, in Los Angeles, in the erection of a church; in 
Sacramento — Rev. W. S. Hoskinson, D. D. — by another; and 
in subsequent years by others in Oakland, Alameda, San Jose, 
San Diego, Riverside, etc., until at the present time California 
possesses 16 organizations, with 12 church buildings, valued at 
about $250,000.00, and an active membership of over 1,600. 
This is certainly a magnificent showing. To establish a church 
in a land where it was entirely unknown, would appear to 
laymen an impossibility; but persistance and constant effort 
has crowned the endeavor with success, and to Dr. Barnitz is 
largely due the success so far attained. His annual visits 
to the California Synod, and individual missions, was an in- 
spiration to pastors and people. His words of encourage- 
ment and advice were timely and of great value. His ad- 
dresses to Sunday Schools and the young people, were full 
of incidents and stories which delighted his hearers, and from 
which excellent moral lessons could be drawn. His ser- 
mons were instructive and elevating, and drew well-filled 
houses, and his audiences were always pleased and gratified. 
His advice and council was not confined to the pulpit or the 
missionary, but was widely felt in the homes of the members. 



114 SAMUEt BACON BARNIT;^. 

He courted the acquaintance of members and accepted many 
invitations socially, bringing him into intimate friendship with 
the various occupants of homes and adroitly inviting their 
active participation in the various lines of church work. His 
private gifts and benefactions were numerous, and many per- 
sonal friends delighted to supply him with funds to thus dis- 
tribute, knowing full well they would reach the proper people. 
Many communion sets were sent to needy congregations, and 
the pressing necessities of missionaries relieved through the 
kindness of Dr. Barnitz, known only to those immediately in- 
terested. He was a large man in every way — in heart, head, 
stature and sympathy. In frame and face he resembled one of 
our great presidents, and on the Pacific Coast was known as 
the Abraham Lincoln of the Church. 

When Dr. Barnitz was offered the degree of D. D., he 
hesitated a long time before accepting it. He felt the degree 
should be earned by hard study, and not received as a compli- 
ment from the institution tendering it, but the urgent request 
of friends, as well as the importance of the position he filled as 
Western Secretary, finally induced him to consent to its ac- 
ceptance. 

Dr. Barnitz was offered a salary of $4,000 per annum, to 
accept a Presbyterian pulpit. He declined the honor, saying 
that while he could use the money to excellent purpose, he 
was raised and expected to die a Lutheran, and could not 
conscientiously leave the church wherein all his interests and 
ambitions were centered. 

On one of his California trips he was given two diamond 



1 1 1 N 




'.I 


^ 




H^''^'" 




!#*'" , -IBM 




I^^^^B 








^^^K^ 




^z::-..^ 


_ W 


^S^: 



HIS WORK IN CALIFORNIA. II 5 

rings to sell and use the proceeds as he deemed best. He 
would exhibit the rings, tell their story, and solicit subscrip- 
tions to the fund. After collecting several hundreds of dol- 
lars, he used the money in various charities and returned the 
rings to their former owner, much to her delight. 

Traveling men are subject to many diseases, seldom affect- 
ing those of sedentary habits. Such diseases begin slowly, but 
advance with great rapidity. At the meeting of the General 
Synod in Des Moines, in 1901, on motion of Dr. Leisenring, of 
San Diego, Dr. Barnitz was granted three months' vacation 
to recuperate his health. The progress of his disease — 
Bright's disease — rwas too firmly fixed, and his next visit to 
California indicated to anxious friends its speedy termination. 
His attendance at Synod was an effort ; preaching exhausted 
him, and for about two weeks he kept his room, attended by 
his faithful and devoted wife, and denied himself to all but a 
few intimate friends. One of the last sermons he ever 
preached was in the San Francisco church, in which he al- 
ways delighted to appear. The suffering he endured during 
the effort was painfully apparent. When he left that city 
friends were apprehensive he never would reach his home 
alive. He was mercifully permitted to do so, but in a few 
weeks his life went out, and with it another saint arose to 
Heaven. His was a busy life. He died as he desired, in the 
active service of His Master. He always expressed his great 
delight with the advance and growth of the California work, 
a work that is yet but in its infancy; a work that to-day ought 
to be doubled in missions, and men to guide them; a work 



Il6 SAMUE:i, bacon BARNITZ. 

that will ever hold m highest esteem the guiding hand, the 
cheerful greeting, and the magnetic presence of that prince 
of organizers, whom we shall hold in most tender memory 
as friend and brother. Dr. S. B. Barnitz. 



CHAPTER XV. 

twe:ntie:th anniversary. 

Doctor Barnitz entered with all his soul into the 
arrangements for the suitable observance of the Twen- 
tieth Anniversary of his Western Supervision of Home 
Missions. Fittingly it was the last great occasion in 
which he took a public part. He had been licensed to 
preach the Gospel in 1861. He had been called to the 
Western Secretaryship in 1881, and now in June, 1901, 
it was proposed by some of his friends to mark the 
anniversary of his appointment with a special service 
on one of the days of the meeting of the General 
Synod at Des Moines, Iowa. Accordingly a committee 
was appointed, consisting of Hon. W. W. Witmer, 
Chairman; Rev. John A. Wirt, D. D., Vice Chairman; 
Miss Cornelia Stein, Secretary. This committee, sup- 
plemented by a special anniversary committee, com- 
posed of leading laymen from all parts of the country,* 



* The names of the Anniversary Committee were : Samuel 
Killian, James Strong, C. E. Patric, D. K. Ramey, L. D. 
Calkins, Chas. F. Stifel, John L. Zimmerman, L. Helfrich, 
G. G. Burnett, Henry A. Bade, Wm. M. Ritter, Henry Sprick, 
Albert F. Fox, T. E. Dewey, Edward Vollrath, Daniel D. 
Frisbie, Henry W. Harter, C. N. Gaumer, John W. Johnson, 
Peter S. Grosscup, John Becker, H. H. Emminga, Amos Mil- 
ler, Geo. H. Knollenberg, Henry Denhart. 

117 



Il8 SAMUEL, BACON BARNITZ. 

arranged to hold a reception in Doctor Barnitz's honor 
at the Hotel Savery, Saturday, June i, 1901, from 
three to five-thirty p. m. 

The anniversary exercises were held in St. John's 
Lutheran Church, Saturday night. It was the expec- 
tation of the committee, and the Board of Home Mis- 
sions by whose sanction the programs were arranged, 
that the Lutheran people of the General Synod would 
be interested enough in the man and his work to make 
the occasion a great rallying time for the cause of 
Home Missions as well as for honoring the Western 
Secretary. They were not disappointed. Fully five 
hundred friends attended the reception during the 
afternoon. A crowded church took part in the eve- 
ning exercises. The receiving party at the hotel con- 
sisted of Dr. and Mrs. Barnitz, Dr. and Mrs. J. A. 
Wirt, President W. S. Freas, Dr. M. W. Hamma, 
President of the Home Mission Board, Mrs. Hamma, 
special representative from the Women's Societies ; 
Rev. A. Stewart Hartman, D. D., General Secretary. 

At the evening exercises, Mr. Witmer presiding, 
the addresses were delivered by Dr. L. E. Albert, Dr. 
J. A. Clutz, Dr. E. Nelander, Mrs. A. V. Hamma, Dr. 
H. L. Wiles, Dr. J. H. Harpster, Plon. Peter S. Gross- 
cup, Dr. T. E. Schmauck, visiting delegate from the 
.General Council. 

Generous contributions were received for missions 



TWENTIETH x\NNlVKRSARY. 119 

with kindly greetings, from friends in every part of the 
United States. Mrs. Hamma presented three hundred 
dollars to the anniversary fund, an offering from 
friends of Dr. Barnitz in the Women's societies. 

It was a red-letter day for the Western Secretary, 
the climax of years of travel and toil. His heart over- 
flowed with joyful appreciation of all the kind things 
said and done. He did not take it for himself, but for 
the cause for which his life was even then consuming 
itself away. It was the last great gathering. The next 
June he laid off the harness. 

The address of Dr. E. Nelander, pastor of the First 
Lutheran Church in San Francisco, covered many of 
the things which it was most proper to utter on such 
an occasion, and coming from one who occupied a 
conspicuous church within the field of the Western 
Secretary, there v^as an eminent fitness in the testi- 
mony given by him. Dr. Nelander said : 

"California has been in a large measure the scene of action 
of the Western Secretary. Twenty years ago Dr. Samuel B. 
Barnitz made his first tour as Western Secretary. Up and 
down these far-reaching prairies and beyond the Rockies 
he went, planting churches, preaching the Word, soliciting 
funds, stirring up the indifferent, enthusing flagging workers, 
bringing cheer and encouragement to the hearts of the faith- 
ful men and women who were laboring in the face of adver- 
sities known only to frontier missionaries. Dr. Barnitz has 



120 SAMUEL BACON BARNIT2. 

virtually planted every church on the Coast, and has dedi- 
cated all but one. No synod is under greater obligations to 
the Board of Home Missions and the Women's Home and 
Foreign Missionary Societies than the Synod of California, 
and no synod more appreciates the services of the Western 
Secretary. Gloria in Bxcelsis is sung in the churches of the 
Capitol City, the Bay cities of Oakland and Alameda, in the 
Orchard City of San Jose, and down to the City of Los An- 
geles, to the orange groves of Riverside, Redlands and San 
Diego — they are all praising God for the work of him we 
honor to-night. 

What a privilege it is to have achieved the successes of these 
twenty years ! The foundations have been laid, but who shall 
say what glorious superstructures are to be raised? How it 
would gladden the soul of our Western Secretary if the veil 
that hides the future were lifted, that he might look for a 
moment upon the consummation of his work. Dr. Barnitz, 
we are only glorifying God when we point you out to our 
children and say, 'Look well on that man, one of the noblest 
sights in the universe; a man upon whose labors God has 
put His seal of favor; a man who realizes that he is in 
covenant with Almighty God.' 

For once there was the opportunity to show appreciation 
of our love for one of the heroes of our faith, while he was 
yet in the flesh and could know that we loved him and would 
always cherish the memory of his achievements." 

This occasion was unquestionably the crowning 



TWE:N'riE:TH ANNIVERSARY. 121 

point in the earthly ministry of Dr. Barnitz. It was his 
last year of active work. The shadows were already 
gathering. The heavenly light shone in the eyes that 
were now dimming. 

The presence of friends, letters, telegrams, greet- 
ings, congratulations, and generous outpouring of 
offerings for the cause he had so deeply at heart, all 
conspired to make the day the most triumphant in all 
his successful ministry. As the papers of the city, 
reporting the occasion fully, declared it — ''To-Day 
BELONGS To Barnitz.'^ 



CHAPTER XVI. 



HIS I.AST SERMON. 



One of the missionaries on the field in the care of 
Dr. Barnitz has furnished a report of the last sermon 
ever preached by this strong preacher. It was at the 
Whitsunday service in Boulder, CoL, on the return 
journey from California, May i8, 1902, less than one 
month before his death. He had finished his Western 
tour, and was facing homewards, within two days of 
Des Moines and the rest of home, then a few more 
days and the Eternal Home. 

Rev. D. Burt Smith, the pastor and resident mis- 
sionary at Boulder, in telling of the service in the mis- 
sion on that Whitsunday, says that no worshiper at 
that day's service will ever forget the last ministry of 
Dr. Barnitz. He was so weak in body that he could 
hardly stand, yet strong in spirit, carrying the congre- 
gation in deep devotion to the feet of Jesus. He chose 
a theme that was oftenest on his lips, ''The Precious 
Name," and talked as a father might talk in telling 
his children of a long-trusted, often-tested friend, who 
had never failed him. 

''The tender monitions to the erring, the strong en- 
couragement to the working, and the confident com- 
mendation of all to Christ, so deeply moved the con- 
gregation that they ceased not to talk about what 



HIS LAST SERMON. 1 23 

seemed to many 'his last message.' He seemed like 
some warrior laying aside his armor to receive the vic- 
tor's crown. He seemed to feel that he must tell a 
last word to the church before he went Home. It was 
a most pathetic service. It was the sacred sadness 
such as the disciples had when Christ told of His de- 
parture. The testimony of one who knew his Master's 
worth, whose life had proven that he knew, could 
not fail to speak with eloquence — the simple eloquence 
of the soul. Like some mountain peak that pierces the 
clouds, enshrouding it, and bathes in the sunlight 
above, so he seemed to rise through the clouds of life 
and bathe his soul in the light of Jesus. 

''Would that all the church could have been present 
to see and hear. His face lighted with more than 
earthly light, and his voice, trembling v/ith bodily weak- 
ness, told the truth as strongly as the thunder tells the 
lightning's way. It was a pleasure to be with him. 
Occasionally his jovial nature would force itself to the 
surface in spite of physical suffering. But the burden 
on his heart was the success of the missions, and the 
pulse of his life was the hope of continuing in his 
work for the church. We bade him good-bye. As he 
went away, one said, 'We will never see Dr. Barnitz 
again.' Another said, 'I wonder if he can reach his 
home ?' 

"And now that he has reached Home, we are glad 
that he left us a message to lift us up and make us 



124 SAMUl^I, BACON BARNITZ. 

better. What a message was Dr. Barnitz's last ser- 
mon on 'The Precious Name of Jesus !' " 

In his diary at Wheeling, nearly forty years before, 
he had written: "Am much interested in my sermon 
on 'The Name of Jesus.' " 

So it proved that his last sermon must have been 
the matured thought of one of his earliest sermons. 
Through all his days he knew but one Name. 

The words of this last sermon were spoken at the 
end of the California journey, and as it proved at the 
end of life's journey. He was making his last notes, 
which are given elsewhere. He was going home to 
fall asleep under his own roof which he had denied 
himself when in the vigor of health. It was a pathetic 
but a consistent ending to a life of faithful consecra- 
tion. 

Most appropriately the Board of Home Missions 
has decided to make the mission at Denver, where he 
uttered many of his earnest messages, a Memorial to 
Dr. Barnitz, to be known to the churches hereafter as 
the S. B. Barnitz Memorial. This Trinity mission 
is located on the south side of Denver, and with par- 
ticular fitness is in the State from which he uttered 
his last sermon-message to the missions he loved, and 
for which he literally gave his life a sacrifice. 

Mr. Beecher once recommended the man who was 
wondering how large a place he occupied in the world 
to go down to the river, thrust in his cane, withdraw 



HIS LAST Se:RMON. 1 25 

it and look for the hole that was left. That may do in 
sarcasm for the average life of uselessness. Not so the 
life we follow here, setting down but a sample here 
and there of the many blessed things that occupied 
his time and filled his heart. 

Dr. Barnitz's death has made a gap which seems to 
widen as the years go by. The meetings of the Gen- 
eral Synod are not the same. The Home Mission 
Board and all the Missions feel his loss. One of the 
first acts of the Home Mission Board after the death 
of Dr. Barnitz was the sub-division of the territory, so 
that two men might cover the field and do the work 
which he did single-handed for twenty-one busy years. 



CHAPTER XVII. 



DR. BARNITZ IN THE PEW. 



Of all the tributes paid to the zeal, the humility, 
the faithfulness of Dr. Barnitz, none was more touch- 
ing than the testimony of his Des Moines pastor, Rev. 
J. A. Wirt, D. D. 

As soon as the Western Secretary had established 
his residence in the capital city of Iowa, he at once 
identified himself with the local church. His entire 
family becamiC an integral part of the congregation, 
fully co-operating in congregational and community 
work, setting an example to the great multitude of 
migrating people in the West who establish themselves 
in cities and towns without giving a thought to the 
church and the subject of a church home. The tribute 
of Dr. Wirt to Dr. Barnitz as one of his parishioners, 
is so just that it may well be set down here as a fair 
estimate of the spirit of the man in his entire course 
through what Carlyle calls "the scene of pilgrimage 
through this world." Dr. Wirt said: 



DR. BARNITZ IN THH: PKW. 12/ 

"Much will be said and much can he said of the Rev. S. B. 
Barnitz, D. D., as a soul-stirring preacher, a born missionary, 
a man of marked executive ability, good judgment, and rich 
in thrilling experiences on the frontier. While the writer 
came in touch with Dr. Barnitz frequently within the last 
seven years, and while we have often taken sweet counsel 
together concerning his great work, yet I was impressed most 
forcibly with Dr. Barnitz in his church pew. It has been said 
that it is not always desirable to have a resident minister as a 
parishioner. Whether or not this is ever true, it was evidently 
not true of Dr. Barnitz. He loved St. John's Church. He 
highly esteemed the pastor and family. Our relationship as 
pastor and parishioner could not have been more felicitous. 
He was as punctual in the discharge of his duties to his indi- 
vidual church as to the church at large. He was as enthusias- 
tic in the success of his home church as in any mission he ever 
planted. He was a beautiful exemplification of his own 
preaching in his liberal and systematic support of his church. 
This spirit was with him to the last. In a visit made him in 
his later days by the pastor, then engaged in liquidating the 
church indebtedness, he remarked, 'We have not yet made our 
contribution to the church debt, but we will.' And he did ! 

At no time in these seven years was Dr. Barnitz absent 
from any service of the church, when in the city. In public 
service on the Lord's Day he was a real inspiration to the 
pastor and an example to the whole congregation in his rev- 
erent demeanor and interested attention. Not always, but 
often he would meet the pastor after the service to give a 



128 SAMUKI. BACON BARNITZ. 

word of encouragement and appreciation. Dr. Barnitz in 
the pew often preached to the preacher. His loyalty was not 
only manifested while in his home church, but was demon- 
strated throughout the whole church in expressions of good 
will and appreciation. Not alone in the congregation was his 
presence a benediction, but in every service of the House of 
God. His ardent prayers in the Wednesday evening service 
left the impression that he was on intimate terms with his 
Heavenly Father. They were uttered with such childlike 
faith and simple trust that all present felt that God heard 
and answered. 

His addresses to the Sunday School and to the young peo- 
ple have inculcated a missionary spirit such as could be pro- 
duced only by a presentation that Dr. Barnitz was able to 
render. Not only home missions, but all the beneficiary opera- 
tions of the church were noticed and emphasized. He often 
assisted in the Holy Comunion and preached in the pastor's 
absence, and when compensation was proffered, he would say, 
'Whatever my services have been worth you may give to mis- 
sions.' 

The pew which was occupied by Dr. Barnitz in St. John's 
Church is mournfully precious because he is not, 'for God 
took him,' yet the beautiful influence of the life he lived will 
abide. Time will not efface the good impressions he made — 
from the pastor to the smallest child in the church, his blessed 
memory will be cherished. Not until the church militant is 
lost in the church triumphant will the power of his example 
be fully appreciated." 



DR. BARNItZ IN THt PliW. 129 

In addition to the foregoing tribute to Dr. Bar- 
nitz as a member of his congregation, Dr. Wirt gave 
utterance to an eloquent eulogy at the funeral in St. 
John's Lutheran Church. Extracts from this sermon 
are here given to shov/ the estimation in which the 
Western Secretary was held by those in closest rela- 
tion to him. Dr. Wirt selected for the funeral text: 

"For me to live is Christ ; to die is gain." 

— Philippians 1:21. 

"At this writing Paul had been in prison for two years. 
He was in doubt as to whether he would ever be released. 
Hence he writes most affectionately to this church and coun- 
sels them how they should live and ever rejoice in the faith 
of Jesus Christ. To him and for him all things worked for 
a single purpose, the exaltation of Christ and the diffusion 
of the knowledge of the gospel which is the power of God 
unto salvation to them that believe. 

The apostle had a single purpose, a v/ell-defined object 
for which he sacrificed self that he might preach to a lost 
world Jesus and the resurrection. His theme was the same 
in the prison cell as on Mars' Hill. He v/ould sacrifice him- 
self. He would cause his auditors to tremble by preaching 
the Word, but he would never sacrifice the truth or fail to 
declare the whole counsel of God. 

Just so far Dr. S. B. Barnitz was a Pauline preacher and 
apostolic in the pulpit and on the field. 

In these characteristics v/c see a beautiful imitation of 



130 SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. 

Paul by him whom we to-day shall carry to his last resting 
place. Dr. Barnitz loved his own, but his great catholic spirit 
embraced mankind. He was happy when in barn, garret or 
sanctuary, he could tell the wonders of His love and the 
power of His grace to save men. From the humblest mission 
to the most important council of the church his one theme was 
Jesus and the resurrection. 

In these characteristics our beloved brother who sleeps in 
the casket before us was a beautiful imitation of Paul. His 
self-sacrificing spirit, for he never considered his own comfort, 
he never saved himself, was his controlling thought in the 
extension of the Master's kingdom. Duty v^^as his watchword, 
let the cross be what it may. He traveled by night and by 
day, inspired by no other motive than the building up of 
Christ's kingdom. The work of missions was dear to his 
heart. He spoke of it from a thousand pulpits and in ten 
thousand homes. Well do we remember his pathetic stories 
told of the German and the Scandinavian in their struggle 
for a church of their fathers. He was untiring even to the 
last visit of the churches. Like Paul he was devoted to the 
missionaries. He wrote letters many, encouraging frontier 
men in their work. He preferred the frugal meal of the mis- 
sionary rather than the luxury of the best hotel. He used his 
influence to secure transportation for homesick wives and 
worn-out missionaries. He acted in the capacity of a general 
freight agent for the whole Lutheran church. His voice was 
heard annually on the floor of every District Synod in behalf 
of Home Missions. He best knew where the box might be 




DR. BARNITZ IN 1897. 



DR. BARNITZ IN THEj PKW. I3I 

sent which would prove a benefaction. He knew the tempera- 
ment of every missionary. He was in touch with every mis- 
sionary's home. Like Paul, the crowning success of Dr. Bar- 
nitz as a missionary was his beautiful Christian life. He 
loved his Lord. When conscious that the command came 
from his Master it was enough. Sacrifice was not considered. 
The Word was his rule of faith and practice. He was a man 
of prayer. For him to live was Christ. 

'To die is gain.' This would sound like a paradox. Most 
men are afraid of death. They look upon it as the greatest 
calamity that can befall them. It is difficult for man to learn 
the most profound truth, one that needs no proof, that as truly 
as we are born into the world so also will we become the prey 
for death. To live a life of selfishness, to be conformed to this 
world, to live without God in the world, death approaches 
with many horrors, but when we have met the first proposi- 
tion of the text the condition is changed, death loses its ter- 
ror and becomes the vestibule through which we enter into 
our Father's house. No one so clearly demonstrated this as 
the Apostle Paul. In one instance he calls it gain, and in 
another victory. To the Christian it is both. 

The principal idea that was in the mJnd of the apostle 
when he said, 'To die is gain,' was that Christ would be mag- 
nified by his death. It must not be forgotten that in living 
or dying it was the apostle's desire to honor his Lord, 'Having 
a desire to depart, and to be with Christ.' It is being with 
Christ that is the great gain in death, to see Him as He is, 
to reign with Him in His kingdom, absent from the body and 



132 SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. 

present with the Lord. At one time he earnestly prayed when 
conscious of the power of sin, 'Who shall deliver me from the 
body of this death.' Now the great deliverance day is at hand. 
To be forever set free from sin, the shackles broken, the soul 
redeemed, is great gain. Where there is no sin there is no 
sickness, no sorrow nor death. The apostle fully compre- 
hended this and realized that it would be great gain. It is 
gain to enter into rest. 'There remaineth therefore a rest 
unto the people of God.' 'There the wicked cease from troub- 
ling, and the weary are at rest' 

I can conceive of nothing that Dr. Barnitz so much needed 
as rest. He was weary and worn. Even the comforts of his 
sweet home could not afford the rest for which his soul 
longed. He needed a change of place. His earthly house 
was fast dissolving and he saw clearly his Father's house 
where there are many mansions. To enter in was infinite 
gain. 

In the last visit made by his pastor he said with child- 
like simplicity, 'I wish you would administer the Holy Com- 
munion to me for we know not what a day may bring forth.' 
Arrangements were made that he might once more partake 
of the broken body and shed blood of his dear Lord, but ere 
those arrangements had been completed he was called to eat 
and drink at the heavenly board. 

From the meeting of the General Synod in Des Moines 
a decline in Dr. Barnitz's health was quite noticeable. The 
sudden death of his oldest son was a severe shock. From this 
time the dissolution of his earthly house was perceptible. 



DR. BARNITZ IN THE) PE^W. 1 33 

Patiently he bore his last sickness. His hope brightened and 
his faith became stronger as he approached 'the river's brink.' 
He had his house set in order so that when the final hour 
came he was able to say, 'the time of my departure is at 
hand.' Hopefully he entered into that rest which was pre- 
pared for him and all those who love the Lord Jesus Christ. 
The beautiful life of this great missionary will live and con- 
tinue to influence the church until Christ's kingdom shall 
fully occupy our country. 

We comimend the bereaved family to the love and help- 
fulness of Him who said, 'I v/ill be a father of the fatherless, 
and a judge of the widows.' " 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

A NOTABI^E CORRESPONDENCE. 

Amid all the multiplied work of Dr. Barnitz, both 
as Missionary at Wheeling, and as Western Secretary, 
there was always time to keep up an extended corres- 
pondence. As already intimated, one secret of the suc- 
cess which marked his whole course was his faithful- 
ness in attention to every little detail. This principle 
kept him busy with his pen. He not only believed in 
printer's ink, he believed in the written word. The 
wonder is that he did not get writer's cramp. On the 
railway train, late at night after a long journey, be- 
tween conversations when visiting missions, he would 
find opportunity to write his letters, make up his re- 
ports, and thus keep posted on his official and personal 
correspondence. 

One of his faithful friends and regular corres- 
pondents, was Mrs. Emma B. Stork, of Philadelphia, 
widow of Rev. Theophilus Stork, D. D., mother of 
Rev. Charles A. Stork, D. D., of Baltimore. This 
correspondence in itself would make a volume that 



A NOTABIvE CORR£:SPONDi:NCli. 1 35 

would outline the labors and spirit of Dr. Barnitz bet- 
ter than any biography. It was in contemplation at 
one time to publish this correspondence. Mrs. Stork 
has furnished with her own hand the motto and title 
page, as follows: "He being dead yet speaketh." 
"Selections from Letters of Rev. Dr. Sam'l B. Bar- 
nitz." 

We must be content with a chapter instead of a 
book, with here and there a clipping from letters writ- 
ten at length out of a full heart by a tired hand : 

"Des Moines, Iowa, Nov. 29, 1900. 
Beloved and Helpful Friend in Christ our Lord. 

Among the multitude of blessings from the hand of our 
Heavenly Father for which we give thanks this Thanksgiving 
Day, your precious, helpful, uplifting and light-bestowing 
friendship, during nearly forty years, stands out prominently. 
'Oh, give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good. For His 
mercy endureth forever.' To-day you come before me many 
times, and I live over the past, and recount the blessings of 
your friendship and that of your sainted husband and noble 
son, Charles, and the kindness of T. and W. Last Sunday I 
was in Chicago, that great city, at the dedication of another 
English Lutheran Church. Memory was very busy, and as I 
looked at eight General Synod pastors and home missionaries 
now preaching English in Chicago, and two preaching Ger- 
man, 'Behold what hath God wrought !' came to me, and I felt 



136 SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. 

a thrill of gratitude. You helped largely to produce these 
results, and many saved ones will rise to call you 'Blessed.* 
When I entered upon the work of the Western Secretary- 
ship, in 1881, and came to Chicago, there was no English Lu- 
theran Church of the General Synod, and only one of any 
kind in that great city. My heart yearned for many of our 
people who had not the means of grace, and I wrote Charles, 
at the same time that I made an appeal to the Board to open 
the work there. He laid the matter before you, and you both, 
with me, laid it before God, and you gave the first $1,000.00 
for beginning a church edifice in Chicago. 'Grace English 
Lutheran Church' was started, and has become the mother of 
the other missions noted above. Each year will add to the 
number, yea, soon I believe, each month. Scores of souls 
have been saved, and hundreds are now being gathered into 
the Master's fold. On the fourth of November, the enlarged 
church at Lawrence, Kansas, where Bro. F. A. acted as 
sexton, when you took him up and helped him into the min- 
istry, will be dedicated. ... Do you wonder that I live over 
the past to-day, and am 'thankful at the remembrance of God's 
mercies?' And then the work at Wheeling, W. Va. 'Oh, 
precious, blessed, soul-rescuing work,' comes vividly to mind. 
You were a great factor in that work, often lifting the burden 
which to human view and human strength seemed breaking. 
That church has become two bands, the second having a 
Sunday School of over 200. 'The Children's Home' has grown 
out of it, and hundreds of the neglected and fatherless and 
motherless have been lifted out of the awful pit." 



A notable; corr^pondknce;. 137 

"San Diego, Cal. 

Reached California for the visitation of the missions, and 
to attend the California S3niod, on Friday, April 6, and from 
that date until April i6, preached eight sermons and deliv- 
ered five addresses. During each day visited people who were 
discouraged, or who, amid the materialism of this country, 
are 'following the Savior afar off.' Petitions and letters come 
to me from parents and from brothers and sisters in the 
East, to 'look up' and 'look after' dear ones who have left 
home. Sometimes I find them doing well — true to their vows, 
but at other times I find unfaithfulness and forgetfulness of 
God. Then I remind them of the prayers of mother or father 
or sisters or brothers, and of the ardent longing they have to 
hear of their return to the loving Saviour. In some cases, 
they come to church, and are reclaimed by our home mission 
pastors, but in others, alas ! we can only commend them to 
God and His mercy. . . . This visitation to the Pacific Coast 
missions will require forty-five days. Then will come the 
Rocky Mountain Synod up to May 19. From there I must go 
directly to Cincinnati, Ohio, without stopping at my precious 
home, so that it will be more than ten weeks before I get to 
Des Moines. Indeed, have only been at home three weeks, 
all put together, during this year of 1900. 

But God has been very good. All glory to His Great 
Name, for He has kept me, preserving my health, giving me 
strength for a great deal of work, and giving me many friends 
and helpers. Palm Sunday was a glad day at beautiful Los 
Angeles, and Easter a glorious day at San Diego, Calif. Here 



I3B SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. 

the palms are so abundant and as large as in Palestine, and 
the decorations of the churches can therefore be very fine 
and appropriate. Our iCalifornia missions are all under the 
care of the W. H. and F. M. See, excepting one, viz: San 
Diego." 

Describing one of his visits to a remote locality, 
where a few gathered in the 'Church in the house,' as 
in the New Testament days, he sa)s: 

"As the Scriptures were read in their 'adobe house,' and 
prayer offered, tears coursed down their cheeks. 'They wept 
when they remembered their Zion.' One of our home mis- 
sionaries had not seen a brother Lutheran minister in nearly 
three years. Not only the sacrifice and loneliness of our min- 
isters and people impressed me, but also the great need for 
the Gospel in these Western States. Oh ! what a field is open 
to us as a Church, and what responsibilities are upon us." 

"Los Angei.es, Cal. 
Reached here on Saturday afternoon, after four days and 
four nights on the train. On arrival, I commenced a report 
to the Board, and worked at it until ten o'clock on Saturday 
night. Sunday, preached twice, and made three addresses, 
with visits to the sick, etc., and yesterday wrote four hours 
on report, and mailed same to reach Baltimore for the meet- 
ing on the loth of April. Amid all this incessant work and 
travel, I have been kept well, and enabled to keep up wonder- 



A notabi^e; corre:sponde:nciv. 139 

fully. To-day I am a little weary, and have a jaded feeling, 
and in a little while will go out among the flowers. . . . 
Would that you could see this part of our wonderful coun- 
try. Some spots make one think of the descriptions of the 
Garden of Eden. Neither pen nor tongue can describe the 
flowers or beauty of California. The air is redolent with 
sweet perfume, and all around is beauty, the beauty of our 
Father's handiwork. Geraniums grow to the second and third 
stories of the houses, and so also does heliotrope. Lilies grow 
so rapidly that they make hedges of them." 

"Leaving home March nth and returning March 29th, 
made the trip eighteen days, and embraced in that time 4,006 
rr, i!es of travel and twenty-two services. . . . The past thir- 
teen weeks have been one incessant strain. Speaking every day 
and night at the synods, watching the business, talking with 
the home missionaries over their work and trials, and sleep- 
ing mostly on the cars, almost prostrated me. It is really 
wonderful hov/ I have kept up amid the ever-pressing work 
and its demands. 'As thy days so shall thy strength be,' has 
been verified over and over again to this unworthy servant 
of Christ." 

"Since September i8th, I have been out visiting synods, 
and making special efforts to secure funds for new Home 
Mission points, dedicating new churches, 'in labors abundant,' 
and sometimes, I fear, beyond my strength. It is often 
very difiicult to control circumstances and 'entertainment.' 



140 SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. 

I must sleep in cold and badly ventilated rooms, and eat all 
manner of food without asking any questions 'for conscience 
sake,' or in order not to give offence to well-meaning and 
kind-hearted people." 

It would be possible to protract these quotations 
to a great length. They would cover every detail of 
the life-work of the Missionary and Secretary. They 
show him finding the members from the East in the 
mountains of the West, on the prairies, in mining 
camps, preaching in the Church of Sod, adobe hut and 
open field ; giving a Communion Service to one mis- 
sion, a box to another, and good cheer to all. Wher- 
ever the man moved there followed a trail of good. He 
never got away from his work. He did not know how 
to take a vacation. There was an all-consuming zeal 
which set an early limit to the strength and length of 
his life. It was evident after the Des Moines Conven- 
tion of the General Synod that it was likely his last 
appearance in that body. The varied character of Dr. 
Barnitz's labors can be realized by a paragraph from 
this correspondence in which he refers to the death of 
the evangelist, Mr. Moody : 

"Dear Mr. Moody! Many will rise to call him blessed. 
The announcement of his death brought to mind many labors 
with him in his earlier life and work. We were together in 
1863, in mission work in saloon parlors in Chicago. We spent 



A NOTABLE CORRESPONDENCE. I4I 

much time in prayer, at that time, asking God to show me 
whether I ought to leave Wheeling and enter upon mission 
work in Chicago. The indications to me were clear that my 
field was the Wheeling mission. 

Then we labored together in Baltimore in 1878, when 
your precious son, Charles, made such an impression upon 
Mr. Moody, as one of the ablest and most spiritual of 
preachers. Now he has 'entered into rest,' and will meet 
Charles, and Thane Miller, and Philip Phillips, and Geo. H. 
Stuart, and the hundreds of the Lord's servants who labored 
with him in the earth. So rest and praise come after ser- 
vice." 



CHAPTER XIX. 

GRKAT DAYS IN CHICAGO^ WHEElylNG, AND e:I.SEWHE:RE:. 

Doctor Barnitz was always in demand as a plat- 
form speaker. He had a convention style of oratory, 
with a stentorian voice, a happy manner in any pres- 
ence, a rich fund of anecdote, with a humor that was 
infectious. The greater the crowd, the keener his en- 
joyment of the occasion. He made a strong impres- 
sion on the audiences he addressed, and was known in 
all the churches because of his deep interest in tem- 
perance, missions, Sunday School work, and every 
other good cause in which all the Protestant churches 
enlisted through interdenominational methods. 

Among the notable conventions attended and ad- 
dressed by him was the Montreal Young Men's Chris- 
tion Association Convention, held while he was still at 
Wheeling, in 1867. The session of the General Synod 
in Washington City, in 1869, was a great occasion for 
the Wheeling Missionary, who with Gen. O. O. How- 
ard, was one oi the chief speakers at a mammoth 
Sunday School meeting of all the Lutheran schools in 



GREJAT DAYS IN CHICAGO, ETC. I43 

the capital. This meeting was held in the First Con- 
gregational Church. 

Another great occasion was the meeting in the 
Auditorium in Chicago, with President McKinley the 
guest of honor. It was a gathering of more than six 
thousand teachers and scholars from the public and 
parochial schools of Chicago and the suburbs. Dr. 
Barnitz was thoroughly in his element on such an occa- 
sion, and moved the vast throng with his eloquent, 
patriotic words. As he concluded with a happy illus- 
tration, he was greeted with the waving of more than 
six thousand flags and an enthusiastic round of ap- 
plause in which the President of the United States 
heartily joined. 

Another great occasion was the meeting of the 
Ohio State Sunday School Convention in the City of 
Columbus, in the year 1896. His good friend, Dr. 
H. Louis Baugher, appeared on the platform with him 
and was given a rising greeting. To this meeting 
Dr. Barnitz gave a carefully prepared address, the 
most of which may be found in the city papers of that 
date. His subject was "The Work and Rewards of the 
Sunday School Teacher." One paragraph of the ad- 
dress was unintentionally descriptive of himself, his 
work and reward: 

"Another reward is the perpetuating our influ- 
ence and our work after we are gone, by the mul- 



144 samue:l bacon barnitz. 

tiplying forces for good. The widow who gave 
all that she had, has been preaching benevolence 
for eighteen centuries. The good Samaritan is 
still journeying, binding up wounds, building hos- 
pitals, opening orphanages. Paul still preaches 
from Mars Hill. Luther has been dead many 
years, but the Word he unbound still blesses the 
world. John Buryan sleeps undisturbed in Bun- 
hill Field, but the Pilgrim's Progress continues." 

Another noteworthy event of public character in 
Dr. Barnitz's life was the Quarto-Centenial of the 
Children's Home at Wheeling. He was called back 
to Wheeling, W. Va., in February, 1895, to take part 
in the twenty-fifth anniversary of the founding of the 
Children's Home in that city. It was a noble tribute 
to the founder and first president of the Home. The 
Opera House was filled, many prominent people con- 
nected with the institution sitting on the stage, together 
with scores of neatly dressed children of the Home! 
Up to that date nearly four hundred children had been 
rescued and saved. The first inmates of the Home were 
the wretched mother and two children referred to in 
the correspondence and diary of Dr. Barnitz. This 
charity still goes on as one of the incidental impulses 
of good which were abounding in this life of faith and 
works. 

That was also a very gratifying day when he was 



GR^AT DAYS IN CHICAGO, e:TC. 1 45 

recalled to Wheeling again in 1891, to help lay the 
corner-stone of the enlarged new church, of which he 
had laid the first corner-stone twentv-nine years be- 
fore. A great crowd gathered to hear him tell of the 
Rock Christ Jesus as the true corner-stone of the Chris- 
tian hope. 

Dr. Barnitz was always eager to see that the Lu- 
theran Church was represented at every general gath- 
ering of the denominations. The Evangelical Alliance 
heard from him frequently. Shortly after his appoint- 
ment as Western Secretary he appeared in New York 
at a meeting held by the Evangelical Alliance forces 
and was introduced by President W. E. Dodge as a 
warm personal friend and a representative of the Lu- 
theran denomination. Dr. Barnitz in the address made 
on that occasion called the attention of the convention 
to the fact that Dr. Samuel Schmucker's Appeal for 
Christian Union, in 1846, was the inciting cause which 
led to the formation of the Evangelical Alliance. The 
address which followed was a strong vindication of 
the Lutheran Church in her catholic and fraternal 
spirit in relation to all other Evangelical churches. 

In temper and practice he was always able to rec- 
oncile his warm devotion to his own church, which 
he loved with all his soul, to his fraternal relations to 
all other Christians whom he also loved. He never 
confounded loyalty with narrowness. There v^^as not 
a drop of bigotry in his veins. He would travel from 



146 SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. 

New York to San Francisco in order to see justice done 
to his cause ; that Home Missions might have a hear- 
ing; that his church should not be shghted. Thus he 
made friends in all circles, and was known to the lead- 
ers in all the churches. He would not have gone 
across the street to make a convert to his own church 
from another church. 



CHAPTER XX. 



SNAP SHOTS FROM THE FlEI^D. 

The correspondence of Dr. Barnitz sent in from the 
field was rich in common sense. It was full of sym- 
pathy for the mission, abounding in suggestions of 
helpfulness, covering every form of activity, securing 
transportation for the missionary and his family to 
some distant point, or preaching in a sod house to a 
little company who had not seen church or preacher 
for years. From this correspondence we have selected 
here and there a sentence for the purpose of showing 
the tact of the Secretary as well as the varied experi- 
ences that were crowded into the busy days of his life. 
These snap shots, as they might be called, are selected 
without reference to their chronological order, and ex- 
plain themselves as every good picture always does : 

"The Board will, I am sure, overlook or make allowance 
for any defects or mistakes in this report. It has been writ- 
ten with some difficulty, frequently laid aside in the middle 
of a sentence, and not taken up until the next day. 

That 1892 may be a blessed year for our missions and 
147 



I4B SAMUEL BACON BARNIT2. 

missionaries, and one of marked advancement in the work, 
is the praj-er of Yours very gratefully, 

SAM'L B. BARNITZ, 
Western Sec'y.*' 

"Since we started, nearly every denomination has built a 
new and elegant church, with all the modern attractions of 
parlors, kitchens, etc. There is in B. also a great pandering 
to the too popular idea of 'sacred concerts,' Sunday night lec- 
tures, etc., etc., and a good deal of very 'thin gospel.* All 
these things make the work of building up difficult." 

"The missionaries engaged in keeping their people from 
starving and freezing have been able to do little else for sev- 
eral months, and their reports on services, etc., etc., are 
meagre, and will likely be until 'the calamity be over-past.' 
The blessedness of the work of relief, however, cannot be 
estimated." 

"They feel they must have a fairly good preacher and 
u-'orker, and they are right. The American population is an 
intelligent one, and the Americanized Bohemians are not far 
behind them. It will require an appropriation of perhaps 
$300.00 to place a good man at M., and the field is worth the 
money. The nezv missionary must be an orderly man, and 
get all documents, records, etc., etc., in good shape, binding 
the congregation and property in such zvay that it cannot 
be taken from the General Synod." 



SNAP SHOTS I?ROM THt: I?lELD. I49 

"NoRCATUR. I held services at this place Sunday morn- 
ing, Aug. 25th, and drove to Oberlin — 19 miles — in the after- 
noon. The trip was an intensely severe one, as the 'hot winds' 
were blowing, and literally 'cooking' whatever came in their 
way. With no top to the wagon, and the winds so strong as 
to forbid holding an umbrella, and at times even the wearing 
of a hat, the drive was exhausting and fairly consuming. But 
the journey v/as made, and the large audience at Oberlin, 
and the words of appreciation from some of our own sick 
and suffering people, and from many citizens of Oberlin, 
entirely compensated for the trials by the way." 

"Every famliy and every member that could be reached 
was visited, though the heat was fairly exhausting. The at- 
tendance at worship Sunday morning was 31, at Sunday 
School 36, and at evening service 90." 

"Herewith find expense account to April 30th, the close 
of the business. It is rather a remarkable one — showing 7,151 
miles of travel, including all expenses of meals, sleepers, etc., 
at a cost of $16.55, or less than ^ of a cent per mile. Mean- 
while I have sent our own treasurer and synodical treasurer 
more than twice that amount from offerings along the way. 
There was also a donation of $10.00 on type-writing work, 
which, with the reductions heretofore made, has brought the 
expense of this part of the work far below the appropriation 
authorized for it. The postage it is difficult to reduce, as 
every letter must be answered, even though the letter con- 



150 SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. 

tains but little of importance. Then too, many letters or 
cards of cheer and encouragement, or of comfort in sorrow, 
must be written, and they do more good than can be esti- 
mated. Packages of literature, papers, etc., etc., are sent to 
new points to keep in touch with the people, until a mission 
can be opened." 

"The month has been another one marked by discomfort 
and anxiety in travel on account of floods, 'wash-outs,' and 
country roads almost im.passable. Safety and help have been 
vouchsafed, however, and a large amount of work has been 
done." 

"More has been accomplished during 1896 than during 
any four years preceding. On these grounds, I plead for a 
continuation of the same appropriation." 

"I will, D. v., spend Sunday, May 30th, at Greenleaf and 
Barnes, and arrange on same trip for services at Effingham 
and Waterville. This will require a 'forced march' from Day- 
ton, Ohio, but it can be made by leaving Dayton early Friday 
morning, and journeying until Saturday evening. My work 
at the Woman's Convention will be completed by Thursday 
night, 27th." 

"Letter from Prof. E., is a characteristic one. At first, 
I thought I would pay no attention to it, but as that would 
have broken my fixed rule to answer every letter of every kind, 



SNAP SHOTS ]?ROM THE) FIELD. 15I 

I submitted the matter and my reply to Prest. Albert and 
Vice Prest. Parson, and after hearing from them that reply 
is all right, I mailed it." 

"I spent Sunday, April 25th, at Nevada, Iowa, formerly 
a mission, and a weak one, now developing into a vigorous 
congregation, making splendid returns for all our outlay, 
and all the labor and anxiety put upon it. New openings are 
being entered through this mission, and a second pastor will 
now be called for the country work. .1 had a cheering visit, 
excepting the drive to the country through 'mud to the horses' 
knees and beyond the hubs of the wheels.' A pair of splendid 
dray draft horses pulled us through — the driver having fitted 
the conveyance with double-trees from one of the strongest 
transfer wagons." 

"I believe we ought to place a good, live young man at 
McCook, and place the other work in the hands of a second 
or additional missionary. I say 'young man' only in the sense 
of man with a small family, who has vigor and 'gumption.' 
Secretary Hartman reports a number of 'splendid young men 
at Seminary at Gettysburg this year.' Can we not induce 
some of them to come West and 'endure hardships' for a 
few years, at least?" 

"I wrote one of the former members of Wheeling mission, 
to come to train for a greeting. Also said that if train 
passed earlier than 7 :43 P. M. I would have stopped off for a 



152 SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. 

missionary service. Train time had been changed, so that I 
did not reach W. until 8:18, which meant 8:48 local time. 
Immediately on arrival I was told that they had decided to 
hold a service at any hour train would come, and that the 
congregation was in waiting. I found about 70 persons at 
the church, who listened well to an appeal to become self- 
supporting as soon as possible, and to give more largely to 
missions." 

"The month sums up 3,035 miles of travel, twelve ad- 
dresses and sermons, two dedications, with $5,200.00 solicited 
and secured, and over one hundred letters and postals, with 
many papers, tracts, etc., sent out. All this, however, and 

much more could not meet the demands of the growing work. 
Oh, that the Church could be awakened to our Home Mission 
opportunities, and that the servants of the Church had double 
strength for the labor of extending and enlarging our borders, 
and 'strengthening the things that remain,' some of which 
are almost 'ready to die.' " 

"Des Moines. Could any outlook for success ever have 
been so unfavorable as the mission beginnings at Des Moines 
in 1865? The story of the beginnings here shows them to have 
been more unpromising than those of any mission now on our 
list. As we heard the records and the story on Monday night 
last, and then looked around us at the beautiful .sanctuary 
and large congregation, Dr. Clut? remarked, 7 have hope for 
IV. and every other place.' 



SNAP SHOTS FROM THE FIELD. 1 53 

As I had urged the new church enterprise from the day 
of reaching Des Moines, the pleasant ( ?) duty of asking for 
the money to meet all obligations was laid upon 'the Western 
Sec'y of Lutheran Missions.' Many said the amount needed, 
$3,600.00, could not be raised, and others doubted the wisdom 
of asking for it. Still others said, 'deduct the cost of parson- 
age, and try for church indebtedness only.' But we asked 
for the whole of it, and got it, to the surprise and joy of the 
large congregation." 

"Being obliged to return from California via Portland, 
Oregon, and resting there on Sunday, or rather expecting 
to rest there, I attended services at the General Council mis- 
sion, Rev. M. L. Zweizig, missionary. He received me most 
cordially, and insisted on an address to the Sunday School, 
and a sermon Sunday night. Tivo-thirds of the members of 
this mission are General Synod people, and of the very best. 
A more cordial greeting could not have been given me by any 
of our own missionaries, nor could any of our congregations 
have given closer attention or spoken kindlier words of appre- 
ciation, Bro. Zweizig said, 'You have done us all great good, 
and been most helpful to me, and I thank you for coming to 
Portland.' "' 

"The success in San Francisco shatters to pieces the idea 
that 'Lutheran Material' consists only of persons of Lutheran 
parentage, Lutheran training or Lutheran countries. Bro. 
Miller has gone out after 'unsaved sinners' 'out of every nation 



154 SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. 

under heaven,' and has demonstrated that both the 'original 
Yankee' and the 'original Californian' make good Christian 
Lutherans. We have reason to rejoice and give thanks to 
God for the success of this work." 

"By urgent request of the late Rev. Geo. D. Gotwald, our 
wise and faithful missionary at Kansas City, I had arranged 
to spend Sunday, Jan. 12th, with him, assisting him at Com- 
munion, and other special services of that day. Little did 
he or I think that we were planning for my presence at the 
side of his death-bed, and for his funeral services. He was 
very urgent as to my coming, and wrote me several times, 
after leaving him Decem. 19th, 1889. He said : 'It will be your 
last official visit to me, as we will be self-sustaining 
March ist.'" 

'Sacramento. The days spent in this Capitol City of the 
Golden-State — May 9 to 14 — were very busy ones, but full of 
cheer and encouragement on account of the progress of the 
work, and the noble spirit and self-sacrifice of the missionary 
and his excellent wife. The Board will recall our report of 
last year, in which we told of tramping Sacramento from end 
to end until foot-sore and weary, and finding but one person — 
a grand, good woman, who, with her daughter and two little 
grand-daughters, was ready to go into and push a Lutheran 
Church. We reported 'a good field,' because of many iuisaved 
people, and many people not identified with churches, and not 
a great deal of church activity in other denominations. Under 



SNAP SHOTS FROM THJ&; FlKLD. 1 55 

these circumstances. Missionary Hoskinson commenced his 
work, and laboring 'in season and out of season,' canvassing 
every street and every house — encouraged by some and ridi- 
culed by others — he has organized a congregation of splendid 
people, has good audiences, a nice beginning for a Sunday 
School, ladies' aid society, etc., etc." 

"There seems to be almost a mania in resignations, and 
for returning to the East. There are a number of reasons for 
this, but chiefly 'worn out with years of sacrifice and trial 
and isolation, and on salaries insufficient to keep their families 
comfortably/ In the great scarcity of capable men, openings 
are abundant at better salaries than our missionaries are re- 
ceiving. Their families grow weary of the sacrifices and 
struggles if even they do not, and being mostly from the 
East, become 'home-sick.' Other reasons and causes are also 
given, but the above are, I am sure, the principal ones. The 
faithful men in the Western mission field deserve sympathy 
and kind and cheering words. Putting ourselves in their places, 
considering carefully the difference in conditions and sur- 
roundings, is the only possible way to comprehend fully the sit- 
uation." 

"Reaching Alliance Conference, Chicago, Rev. G. U. 
Wenner met me at door and said : 'Where in the world have 
you been, Barnitz? You should have been here an hour ago, 
and we should have had some word from you. I was assured 



156 SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. 

by Dr. Albert,, President of your Board, that you would be 
here, or that some representative would be present.' I re- 
plied, 'Well, Bro. W., this is the first intimation I have had 
of appointment or a desire to have me present.' He then 
called Rev. Dr. Strong, who said he was glad the Lutheran 
Church would be represented. I told Bro. Wenner I was 
greatly embarrassed to go to the platform v/ithout a moment's 
thought on the subject, or preparation for it, and v/ithout 
having even heard the principal paper, that I did not want 
to do injustice to our Church, but could tell the Alliance our 
policy and some things peculiar to our own Lutheran field. 
He said, 'that will do, and I am mighty glad you are here to 
do that.' " 

"Greatly would I enjoy a visit of several weeks at home, 
as I have been there but little since March — indeed, very 
little during 1893. All engagements with synods, missions 
and women's societies have been met, and all correspondence 
kept up promptly and to date. The visitations since last 
report required over 3,700 miles of travel, 36 addresses and 
sermons, with interviews innumerable, and listening to many 
accounts of sacrifices and suffering. No accident has befallen 
me, good health has been vouchsafed, and uniform kindness 
in word and deed manifested at every synod, mission and con- 
vention. This Western trip, and the one to Kansas Synod, 
revealed sacrifice and suffering, which was a great drain on 
the sympathies of any one who has a heart — and would have 
been on the purse had there been anyihing in if,''' 



SNAP SHOTS FROM THE FIELD. 1 57 

"On Friday afternoon, March i6th, I met with the students 
of Hamma Divinity Hall, and for an hour and a half dis- 
cussed Home Missions. The session had closed at noon, but 
the students remained over — by request of Dr. Gotwald — for 
this service. The young men showed a deep interest in the 
subject of Home Missions, and some of them promised to con- 
sider the matter of taking hold of Western Vvork. I have 
asked for a list of the brightest and best, so that I may know 
them when an application comes." 

"Would that every mem.ber of the Board, yea, and many 
members of our churches, could have been present at the 
congregational meeting. Such pleading for a continuation of 
Lutheran services, such readiness to sacrifice even of their 
food and clothing, that they may have the gospel, and the 
Church of their fathers in their midst, I have seldom witnessed. 
They deserve all the help we can give them without doing 
injustice to our other work." 

"In some moments it pleases God to give me, I see rising 
alone in the mists and darkness of past mistakes, our beloved 
Lutheran Church — God's dear child — whose whole beauty 
has never yet been fully disclosed. That she is divine, I know 
by her girdle of pure doctrine, and by that atmosphere of 
love, that, issuing from her as light from a star, moves with 
her more royal than a king's apparel. In this, too, I know 
her divinit)^ that she blesses those who wound her — if such 
there be — and like her Master, forgives even her enemies." 



158 SAMUEI. BACON BARNlTZ. 

"It takes an immense amount of thought and labor to 
keep some of our missionaries encouraged, and to have them 
understand the exact situation of affairs, even in their own 
fields. On behalf of this New Mexico work, and to encour- 
age and help and strengthen our missionary there, L think I 
have written well nigh enough to make 'a book.' " 

"1 was called to make a special trip to the East to seek a 
man for Denver. Rev. C. W. Heisler was sought for Los 
Angeles, Cal., and had no conception of going there until 
solicited by the Board. Gen'l Secy. Clutz and myself were 
instructed to seek Mr. Neiffer for Denver, after the resigna- 
tion of Bro. Heilman, who had been selected by the Board 
as first missionary, and I called at the last to lay it on his 
conscience that he ought to go to D. Indeed most of the 
men for our prominent missions have been sought after, and 
have themselves never made application to the Board for the 
positions they hold." 

"Woman's Convention, Synod of N. Ilunois. 
By special request and urging of the officers of this Society 
to present the cause of Home Missions, I was present on 
Monday evening, Oct. 2, though it required a journey of over 
seven hundred miles to accomplish this. I thought it wise to 
make it, as the Foreign work was to be presented by both 
Pr. Scholl, Secy., and Miss Dr. Kugler — returned from India. 
We had an excellent meeting, and the representatives of the 



SNAP SHOTS I^ROM THE; FIELD. I59 

societies expressed a feeling of need that more must be done 
for the Home field." 

''There have been cases demanding plain, straight-forward 
criticism of men (for the good of the work), which criticisms 
have somehow or other gotten to the man, or men, and they 
have become personal enemies to the Secretary making them, 
and, unless 'Grace abounded,' have tried to injure them. 
Criticisms are not made in any unkind or unfriendly or per- 
sonal spirit, but solely in the interests and for the highest 
good of the work. I am sure our Board understands this." 

"Kentucky, Florence^ Boone Co. In response to fre- 
quent requests from Rev. H. Max Lentz, the faithful pastor 
of the Boone Co., Ky., churches, I wrote him I would give 
them Sept. 18 and 19. His letter tells of the appointments 
and his desire to have the people instructed regarding Home 
Missions. Three services were held: Monday, 7:30 P. M., 
Tuesday, 10 A. M., and i P. M. The churches were crowded 
and the people gave close attention, though a good many 
'shook their heads' when the 'money for Home Missions' plea 
was made. They nevertheless gave something, and the few 
members interested in Missions expressed grat gratitude for 
the visit and its results. The pastor was cheered, as he felt, en- 
dorsed and 'backed up' in what he had been preaching, and in 
pleading for 'at least the little apportionment.'" 

"Synod of Southern Illinois. This Synod was attended 



lOO SAMUEI. BACON BARNl'I5i. 

Sept. 8th to nth, and seven addresses and sermons dehvered. 
Though the year has been a very trying one on account of 
drought, and several long vacancies, there are yet signs of 
improvement — a growing interest in the work of the church, 
houses of worship improved, etc. This might not appear if 
we judge only from the treasurer's books, but even these would 
have made a much better showing had the farmers and fruit- 
growers not been impoverished by one of the severest droughts 
known in many years. 

Could we but fill the vacancies now existing with good, 
active men, it would not be long until the contributions for 
all our benevolent work would be doubled. Southern Illinois 
is a splendid field for us — the material for many new churches, 
and the enlargement of the work already commenced is there, 
and it only needs careful cultivating by earnest and educated 
men — and patient waiting — to bring forth an excellent har- 
vest." 

"A letter from Rev. Cephas Baird, of Morristown, 111., 
says he has opened a new station at Osco, started a Sunday 
School, and commenced preaching. He says the field is one 
of rich promise, there bei-^;:'- a Scandinavian congregation 
nearby, numbering one thousand members. He asks for aid 
to the extent of one hundred dollars to develop this field, and 
asks for our influence for Sunday School Helps from the 
Board of Publication. I have written Supt. Boner, asking for 
a donation of books and papers, and have written Mr. Baird 
to move carefully, to confer with Adv. Board of Synod of 



SNAP SHOTS FROM THli FIELD. l6l 

N. Illinois, and report again. I have also told him of the 
condition of our treasury, and the overwhelming demands 
upon us, and expressed doubt as to the ability of the Board 
to extend aid at this time. It would do good, however, if the 
treasury will at all justify, to make a small appropriation from 
'Special Mission' fund. This will encourage a mission in a 
field teeming with young people of our own household of 
faith." 



''The Outlook. From present indications there will be 
much need and suffering in the states and territories west of 
Iowa the coming winter. In parts of the wheat belt of Kan- 
sas, the Dakotas, and Nebraska, there will scarcely be one 
bushel of wheat to the acre. Kansas and Western Nebraska 
are already suffering, and continued drought makes the out- 
look for corn and potatoes very gloomy. x\ll these things 
must be taken into account in considering our Western Home 
Mission work, and the whole church should understand the 
sacrifices being made by the men and women on our list of 
missionaries. The crop prospects in many parts of the west 
have not been so gloomy for years, and this fact, with the 
general depression in business and the general lack of confi- 
dence, will make our work more difficult than it has been for 
many years. 'They that are strong should bear the infirmities 
of the weak,' and our strong churches and more highly pros- 
pered parts of the land will be called upon to help the needy 
and less prospered." 



l62 SAMUEI* BACON BARNITZ. 

"Gifts to Home Missions. With very great joy I am 
privileged to report a gift of two hundred and fifty dollars 
from my friend, Mr. , of Wheeling, W. Va., and one hun- 
dred dollars from 'A Child of the King, in His Name.' Mr. 

■ is the same who gave me five hundred dollars for special 

use at Thanksgiving. He is not a Lutheran, but having intro- 
duced a Lutheran church paper into his home in 1863 it has 
kept him informed as to our work, and brings forth fruit. He 
also handed me one hundred dollars for the Board of Educa- 
tion, and one hundred and fifty dollars for the Board of For- 
eign Missions. 'The Child of a King' is the same who gave me 
one hundred dollars as a birthday thank-offering, reported 
with Luther Day contributions. Bro. G. G. Burnett has also 
sent one hundred dollars, through Dr. Hamma, in part savings 
from railroad fare, because of special favors secured for him 
from numerous lines of railway. It is indeed pleasant to write 
of such gifts. With thanksgiving I can report free transpor- 
tation secured for Rev. Dr. Clutz from Atchison, Kas., to 
Baltimore, Md., and return, so that he can be present at the 
Jubilee Meeting in May." 

"Without presuming at all, I am free to say that neglect 
of the far west, even the churches and fields which seem weak 
now, will lead to the same results which neglect of towns and 
cities in Illinois and Indiana has led to, because of the policy 
of thirty and thirty-five years ago. It has been very truly 
said that 'as there are over 80,000 more Lutheran communicants 
in the states west of Chicago than in the states east of that 



SNAP SHOTS ^ROM tH^ ^lELD. 163 

city, our great work as a church in giving the faith of the 
fathers in the language of the children must be in the west, 
though the east, too, is full of opportunities as yet unim- 
proved.' " 

"California. In response to letters from the missionaries 
on the Coast, urging a visit to the coming convention of the 
Synod, April 4th, and to the several missions on that territory, 
and especially to the dedication at San Diego, and hearing 
nothing to the contrary from the Board, I have planned to 
attend the Synod, reaching San Diego (D. V.) for the open- 
ing of Synod, and giving a Sunday, if possible, to each mis- 
sion in California. The card from the President is very 
urgent as is also the desire of the church at San Diego. I 
have written the Executive Committee of W. H. and F. M. 
Soc. that I will try to meet with them before going to the 
Coast, so as to carry any greetings they may want to send, 
and learn their views concerning their work in our hands in 
California." 



"I •earnestly hope we may secure some good men from 
the seminaries and fill the vacancies in Kansas and Nebraska 
by the first of July. I cannot but feel, however, that there 
ought to be more teaching in our seminaries, and perhaps, 
more preaching also, as to what the Saviour means when He 
speaks of 'forsaking' father and mother, sister and brother, 
houses and lands, for His sake and the gospel's.' " 



164 SAMUltL BACON BARNITZ. 

"The Miami Synod. Only one hour could be given to this 
Synod, in session at Urbana, Ohio. Synod promptly voted 
'all the time the W. Secy, can use in presenting the work of 
Home Missions.' The hour from opening — 9 A. M. — to train 
time — 10 A. M. — was used in presenting the work and answer- 
ing questions. The Convention was a delightful one in every 
respect." 

"Brother O. has spared no pains to bring the congregations 
up to a realization of privilege and responsibility, the results 
of which are very manifest. A comparison with the benevolent 
reports of eleven years ago will show handsome growth in 
the grace of giving. There is also advancement in church 
order, catechization, etc. Indeed our Missions, as a rule, de- 
velop the synods with which they are connected." 

"Reached Los Angeles on Saturday morning at eleven- 
twenty and had a most cordial reception by Bro. and Mrs. S., 
and the members of the church. Held five services with the 
congregation and S. Schools and young people yesterday, and 
was much pleased with the attendance and attention. Every- 
thing here is in good condition. The people, as far as I have 
seen them (and I have met quite a number), are well pleased 
and entirely satisfied with Bro. S. He has done good work. 
The S. School is greatly improved in every way — the debt has 
been reduced during the year one thousand dollars ; the 
audiences are larger than ever before, and there is every rea- 
son to be encouraged. Bro. S. does not see the encourage- 



SNAP SHOTS FROM TH^ I^ll^IvD. 165 

ments as much as he sees the dark side of thmgs. He thinks 
every member of the church ought to be in his and her place, 
and do full duty all the time and always. He is right in his 
view, but he cannot always have people just exactly as they 
should do. Bro. S. measures work out here too much with a 
Lebanon or Pennsylvania Lutheran tape line. 

So far as membership or active work is concerned, we have 
but little here, but so far as handsome church property and 
a field to be developed is concerned, zve have a great deal. 
There were twenty-eight (28) at S. School, including officers, 
teachers and scholars, and twenty-three persons, men, women 
and children, at m.orning service. At night the audience num- 
bered over one hundred (100), but the Methodist minister 
had closed his church and brought his congregation to wor- 
ship with us. I learned, however, from one of our very best 
members, that the Methodists in the audience did not number 
over thirty (30), and that there were at least fifty (50) per- 
sons present who are not now identified with any church. 
* * * True piety, consecration and separation from the 
world are not elements of popularity in this section. At the 
office of the hotel, zvhere I zvas stopping, they played cards 
all day Sunday." 

"Middle Tennessee. I wish the Boards could see the 
improvements in church property, church-order, church music, 
mission interest, etc., etc., as I note them from visit to visit. 
They would say these changes are worth all the expense and 
all the sacrifice of visitation from year to year. And with 



l66 SAMUEi. BACON BARNITZ. 

better church-order and church-life, will come larger giving. 
Altogether matters look hopeful and encouraging. They have 
added new pews to the church, and with the appropriate 
church furniture, furnished by Dr. Ender's 'Bee Hive Sunday 
School/ the audience room has quite a churchly appearance. 
There will also be enough in the 'Furniture Fund' from the 
'Bee Hive' to provide collection plates^ which I have ordered 
for them — the offerings heretofore in all the churches of the 
Tennessee Synod having been lifted with hats, and often the 
most forlorn-looking and greasy hats that could be found in 
the audience. Not unfrequently the 'Offertory' was some un- 
suitable chorus or gloomy hymn with inappropriate chorus, as 
'Plunged in a gulf of dark despair 
Glory hallelujah!' 
All this is now changed in many of the churches, and there 
is such order and solemnity as becomes the House of God." 

"New English Work. To look up a suitable location 
for a second English church in Chicago, I will arrange to 
meet General Secretary Hartman at such time as may best 
suit his plans and engagements, so soon as I am able to travel. 
The physician thinks I should not attempt to go from home 
this month, but I trust he is mistaken by a week or ten days. 
It is, however, as he says, 'necessary to be careful,' and this I 
keenly feel. For the first time since in the work, I was alarmed 
as to the results of my sickness, and m.ore glad to get home 
than ever before in my life. Hence, as recovery is coming 
and strength returning, the part of wisdom is to be careful, 



SNAP SHOTS FROM THE FIELD. 167 

even though the work be pressing. To this I know wy ever 
kind and considerate Board of Home Missions will say a 
hearty 'Amen.' 

Is there a good strong man in view for Chicago? The 
important factor in the nezv work will be the man!'' 

"Reached Lima on Thursday, December 17, and, though in 
wretched physical condition, held a service with the congre- 
gation that evening, and looked over parts of the city next 
morning. The attendance at the service was very good for 
a week night, especially as there was much sickness in the 
city. My effort was to encourage the congregation and pas- 
tor to go forward v/ith strong faith in God and greater confi- 
dence in their own efforts. I assured them of the support of 
our Home Mission Board, and told them of the success of 
other missions with not nearly such good prospects. Secre- 
tary Weber was to have been there the same evening, but was 
detained by sickness. The work at Lima needs the backing 
of the Board of Church Extension in order to make it suc- 
cessful. With a good lot bought by the Board, and a little 
help towards building, a church edifice can be erected the 
coming spring, and that will make the mission an assured suc- 
cess." 

"In response to letters I attended the dedication of 'Trin- 
ity' Lutheran Church at Louisville, Ky., January 23, 1895, the 
congregation paying expenses. The day was one of great 
interest to General Synod Lutheran Home Mission work. At 



l68 SAMUKL BACON BARNlTZ. 

the afternoon service over 300 people were turned away, 
though every spot on which a man or woman could sit or stand 
was utilized in the church building. It was estimated that 
half as many more people than the house was supposed to ac- 
commodate, were crowded into it at the afternoon service. 
'Trinity,' the sixth English Lutheran church built in Louis- 
ville, Ky., in twenty years, has the best church edifice of any 
of them, and is magnificently located. What a splendid record 
for our Home Mission work. Six churches — and good ones — 
organized in twenty years ! And what a testimonial to the 
wisdom and breadth of view of Dr. S. A. Ort, pastor of the 
first church, who insisted upon the second. It can truly be 
said that the work of Home Missions has made the Olive 
Branch Synod the influential body it now is." 

"Conclusion. The Bill of Expenses herewith sent, shows 
218 days of constant service, travel to the extent of 16,568 
miles, 116 sermons, Home Mission talks and addresses before 
synods and women's conventions, over 900 letters and mail 
packages sent out, and more money raised in two places alone 
than covered the entire expense of $108.40. Scores of our 
missionaries have been helped by the personal solicitation of 
boxes of clothing, communion sets, etc., etc., and have been 
cheered and comforted by personal visitation and encourage- 
ment. In this time, also, since meeting of General Synod, 
many newspaper articles have been written on behalf of the 
work, and individuals visited with a view to stimulating them 
to larger giving. There remain yet many things to mention, 



Si^AP SHOTS FROM the: I^iKLD. 1 69 

and much correspondence to report, but this report contains 
probably all the Board will have time to consider at the Sep- 
tember meeting. The report has been written as I could 
catch the time, while en route from place to place." 

In such manner this modern apostle went over the 
great field, scattering sunshine, establishing, encourag- 
ing, doing the work of evangelist like a wise master 
builder. These snap shots will show better than any 
description could the arduous burdens under which 
Dr. Barnitz finally sank. '*He saved others, himself 
he could not save." 



CHAPTER XXI. 



DR. BARNITZ AND THK GERMANS. 

The Western Secretary, being of Germanic stock 
himself, was always deeply interested in the develop- 
ment of our German work, both in the fostering of 
churches and the education of young men who could 
preach in both English and German. His addresses at 
synods were full of references to the demands made 
upon the Home Mission Board for the proper care of 
the next generation in our German Lutheran families. 
His reports to the Board abounded in appeals for 
workers to meet the great influx of population from the 
German and Scandinavian countries. During all the 
years of his work as Western Secretary he retained 
this interest in our growing German work in the West. 
It was through his activity that the General Synod was 
made aware of the importance of this work. 

The interest which Dr. Barnitz felt in the growing 
work of the German Literary Board made him refer 
frequently to the spirit of enterprise which was mani- 
fest in the German branch of the General Synod's work. 

His love for the Germans was deep-seated. It ran in 

170 



DR. BARNITZ AND THE) GERMANS. I7I 

his blood. His words of encouragement on the floor 
of the German synods were greatly appreciated. We 
append in this connection an extract or two from his 
reports to his Board, showing that he regarded this 
German work as a distinct branch of his great field : 

"The Wartburg Synod. Three days and four nights were 
spent with this body, the Lutheran Parliament and Lutheran 
Women's Congress, all meeting in Chicago, Sept. 12-17. 

The Wartburg Synod is also 'coming up.' I was received 
most cordially, and listened to for an hour most patiently, and 
then asked questions for an additional half hour. There was 
no 'carping,' no unkind criticism — not a word of objection to 
the Board or its work. There were earnest speeches of en- 
dorsement, and exhortations to pastors to lay the Home Mis- 
sion work before their people and urge increased giving. 
There were also requests for Home Mission literature in 
the German language, as well as for applications and reports 
to be gotten out in the same tongue. 

This synod has wonderfully changed for the better in the 
past five years. It is composed of fine-looking, intelligent 
men, mostly young men who are American in spirit and grow- 
ing in their adherence to the General Synod." 

"The German Synod of Nebraska. This body had a 
very delightful and harmonious convention at Schuyler, Neb. 
I was accorded an hour on the floor of synod, and as much 
more time as I wanted, and an hour before the congregation 
and synod in the evening. There was the utmost cordiality — 



172 SAMUEI. BACON BARNITZ. 

thanks for the help we have given them. No complaints, no 
murmurings, but a hearty endorsement of all the work of 
the General Synod, and an urging of every pastor to bring 
up at least the apportionment." 

We attach a tribute of one of our German brethren, 
Dr. Wm. Rosenstengel, who for many years was as- 
sociated with Dr. Barnitz through ties of friendship 
in his work as missionary in Nebraska and New Mex- 
ico, and in the last years of Dr. Barnitz's life, as the 
editor of the Luther is cher Zions-Bote, the official or- 
gan for the Germans in the General Synod : 

"Rev. Samuel B. Barnitz, D. D., our Western Secretary 
of Home Missions, died at his home in Des Moines, Thurs- 
day, June 12, 1895, at 8 A. M. His death calls forth deep 
mourning in wide circles. Quickly and unexpectedly our 
beloved brother has been called out of our midst. We have 
before us his last letter, dated May 22,, in which he speaks of 
a visit to one of our German pastors in Colorado, which had 
been a recreation to him. It is evident that he did not think 
of his end as being so near as it was. His intention was to 
rest for a few months, hoping to regain his strength during 
that time and then again continue his routine work. We can 
well imagine how hard it must have been for the tireless 
traveler and worker to become accustomed to the thought 
of inactivity, since he was one of the soldiers of the Lord 
who knew no other command than, 'Go forward !' He had 



DR. BARNITZ AND THE: GERMANS. I73 

no idea how his physical strength had been reduced. But out 
of his temporary rest in his earthly home there was to grow 
the eternal rest in the blessed home of light. 

Pastor Barnitz, owing to his official position, was in touch 
with many people. There are, we presume, but very few 
pastors in the General Synod with whom he was not per- 
sonally acquainted. He was known in most of the congrega- 
tions, an ever welcome guest. His secretaryship he has ad- 
ministered for twenty-one years, and when we take into con- 
sideration how the continual traveling with all its hardships, 
with its irregular life in eating, drinking, watching, and sleep- 
ing wears out the system, how manifold and often unex- 
pected were the demands on his powers, we need not wonder 
at his exclamation, 'I had no idea of being so run down as 
I find I am.' 

Our Germon pastors, especially those in connection with 
the two German synods in the West, will be deeply touched 
by the news of his departure. Who could think of our an- 
nual synodical conventions without his strong personality? 
He always was a welcome guest, and he loved to visit our 
synods. As no other of our American brethren, he knew how 
to appreciate our German work and its importance for the 
future of the General Synod in the West. He delighted in 
our steady and healthy growth. More than once he re- 
marked regarding the Wartburg synod: 'What a splendid 
body and a noble set of men you have.' And his opinion of 
the Nebraska synod was certainly on the same order. 

Dr. Barnitz, although a thorough American, had a genuine 



174 SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. 

German 'Gemuet.' He had an open heart for the sorrows 
and joys of his fellowmen. It was this prominent trait of his 
character which led all hearts to him. He who has often 
harbored strangers does not need instruction as to the con- 
ception, 'unwelcome guest.' Barnitz was none of these. He 
entered many a parsonage, and among these a great number 
in which it looked sparing enough, where the good house- 
wife was in embarressment how to prepare a comfortable 
resting place for the night. But he was always content 
with what there was. Never would he complain about insuf- 
ficient hospitality. He appreciated Paul's words, *I know both 
how to be abased and I know how to abound; everywhere 
and in all things I am instructed to be full and to be hungry, 
both to abound and to suffer need.' Just such occasions and 
experiences were a hint to him to lend a helping hand, and I 
am convinced in more than one case the arrival of the well- 
filled missionary box at the Christmas season was the result 
of such visits. He was well-known in the East, he knew the 
well-established and wealthy congregations, and it required 
merely a hint to this or that missionary society to set to 
work immediately many helping hands. Dr. Barnitz is the 
author of the so-called 'box work,' which has developed into 
a regular benevolent system, I have before me a letter, in 
which a needy brother asks for a box; he closes his letter 
by saying: 'You cannot realize what a great help last year's 
box has been to my family and myself.' Indeed, our good 
Barnitz has erected for himself a lasting memory in the 
hearts of many, a monument more precious by far than a 



t)R. BARNITZ AND THE: CERMANS. 1 75 

thankful generation could erect out of the best of stone; a 
monument not of marble, a monument in the memory of 
grateful co-workers of God, followers of Jesus Christ. 

Dr. Barnitz was a sober, conservative man. He had been 
in the work of the kingdom of God long enough, had made 
observations in all directions of church activity, to fully ap- 
preciate the word of the Savior: Every plant which my 
heavenly father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. 

In many cases of supplying missions in the West, he 
spoke the decisive word. His main object was to obtain 
faithful men. His first question used to be, 'Is he a safe man ?' 
Much weight he laid on Christian character. 

Also in the work of higher education he was prominent. 
The establishment of the institutions at Atchison may be 
attributed to his efforts mainly. 

It will not be an easy matter for the General Synod to 
find a suitable successor for the blessed departed. But we 
will not forget that the interests of Christ's kingdom are not 
linked to an individual. The evening must come for every 
worker. Others step into the break and the work is con- 
tinued. Let us see to it that we fight the good fight and hold 
to the faith. Only they who fight well are crowned." — Luth- 
eran Zions-Bote, 2 July, 1902. 

During the preparation of these pages a voluntary- 
tribute came to hand from the pen of one of our v^ell- 
known laymen in Pittsburg. It may justly be in- 
cluded under the heading of the present chapter, as the 



t^6 SAMUE:!, bacon BARNIT2. 

writer of the tribute was originally a member of a 
German church in Wheeling. He is now a member of 
an English church in Pittsburg, and requests that his 
name be withheld. The letter, which follows, contains 
an incident in the life of Dr. Barnitz, while pastor in 
Wheeling, so entirely characteristic of the large heart 
and practical sympathy of the man that it is given en- 
tire. 

August 17th, 1905. 
"Rev. W. E. Parson, D D., 
Washington, D. C. 
My Dear Sir. — Your letter to Dr. Turkic, referring to a 
Photograph of Drs. Barnitz, Baugher, and Goettman was 
shown me by the Doctor, he knowing that I had one of the 
pictures in my possession. I will gladly loan you mine for 
the purpose for which you want it and will send it with this 
mail to the same address as this. I value this picture of 
'Barney,' 'Baughey,' and 'Getty,' as they called each other, 
very highly. Dr. Baugher once showed me another picture 
of the same group which was taken in their younger years ; 
if that would be of use to you in the memorial you are pre- 
paring, Mrs. Baugher would no doubt let you have it. 

I was glad to learn that you are engaged in preparing this 
memorial to Dr. Barnitz. I was a boy in Wheeling when he 
first came there, but was never connected with his church, 
as I attended the German Lutheran Church with my parents 
at that time, but I remember his first appearance there very 
well. Perhaps a few words regarding his work in Wheeling 



DR. BARNITZ AND THE: Ge:RMANS. 1 77 

may be of interest to you in this undertaking, so I will give 
them to you and you can decide whether or not they will be 
helpful to you in connection with what you may already have 
gathered. 

He entered upon his work in Wheeling with a great deal 
of push and energy. His ways did not take very well with 
the older and more staid Germans, who often spoke of his 
Yankee methods. Nevertheless he was well thought of per- 
sonally by them, and the results of his work were such as to 
command their respect and admiration. His greatest success 
was among the younger people and persons of American 
birth. He paid a great deal of attention to children, and 
picked many a child up in the streets and got it into his Sun- 
day School. His love and sympathy for orphans and home- 
less children soon enlisted the interest of other public- 
spirited and charitably inclined citizens, with whose financial 
aid he started The Children's Home. Of this Home he was 
president as long as he was in Wheeling. It grew under his 
direction to be one of the most helpful and popular institu- 
tions in the city. His work among the poor was not confined 
to children alone, but he brought comfort and relief to 
many a family in want and distress. Indeed he was as well 
known to the citizens at large of Wheeling, as a benefactor 
to the poor, as a minister of the gospel. 

During the war of the Rebellion, he was always a leader 
among those who worked for the relief of sick and wounded 
soldiers and soldiers' widows and orphans. One incident 
that occurred during the war shows his large-hearterness and 



lyB SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. 

thoughtfulness. When the news of the fall of Richmond was 
received in Wheeling, a grand jollification meeting was ar- 
ranged for, to take place in the evening in the Court House. 
At this meeting a number of the most prominent citizens 
made addresses, and all were rejoicing over the great victory 
and the sure prospects of peace; everybody seemed enthu- 
siastic and happy. The tall form of Dr. Barnitz was seen 
in the audience, and soon the cry, 'Barnitz,' 'Barnitz,' rang 
through the building. He went to the platform and soon had 
the people quiet when he said in effect : 'Yes, we have good 
reason to rejoice at the great victory our troops won, and the 
sure prospects of the ending of this bloody war, but let us 
not forget the cost. How many widows and orphans are 
the result of this victory, who are mourning and despairing 
while we are rejoicing. It strikes me the right thing to do 
just now would be to appoint a committee to pass around the 
hats and secure money and subscriptions for the relief of 
those who have lost husband and father, or son or brother.' 
This proposition was taken up with cheers, and over three 
thousand dollars were raised that evening. Dr. Barnitz had 
a heart as big as himself, and I am glad it was my privilege to 
have known him when I was a boy and to frequently have 
had the pleasure of entertaining him at my home. 

I often wondered why no one took up the work of pre- 
paring a memorial for him, and am glad to know that such a 
work is in process now. I do not want anything I have 
given you here to go in with my name, but thought probably 
a little sketch of his life and work would be written and the 



DR. BARNITZ AND TH^ GERMANS. I/Q 

information I could give might not be known to the writer 
and might be helpful. I was born and raised in Wheeling, 
and lived there till, the Spring of 1868. 

Wishing you success in this undertaking, I remain 

Sincerely yours, 

C. F. S." 



CHAPTER XXIl. 



TRIBUTES 01^ ESTEEM. 



The memorial resolutions, tributes by synods, con- 
ferences and missionary societies, in memory of Dr. 
Barnitz would fill a large volume. The articles in the 
church papers and journals, the individual testimonials 
printed in the secular and religious papers, would make 
a second volume even larger. The private letters of 
condolence to the family, the outpourings of esteem 
and sorrow at his loss, would make still another book. 
But it is all written in God's book, ^^^here He keeps 
record of His faithful ones. Hence we shall not 
attempt to draw from any of these numerous testi- 
monials. There is an embarrassment of riches. But a 
few sentences gathered here and there from close 
friends, missionaries, ministers, editors, women's so- 
cieties, will make a green garland such as our friend 
himself would be pleased to see : 

"Helplessness appealed to him from many quarters, and 
to his Christ-like task he responded with a warm heart and a 
cheerful will. Thus he came, as God meant he should, to his 

j8o 



tribute:s 01^ i:ste:e:m. i8i 

wider field in the Church in which he served so long and so 
"well." 

Rev. M. Rhodes, D. D. 

"Only God knows the sum of the good done by his travels, 
his letters, his personal words, his brief but Spirit-breathing 
prayers, his wise and strong counsels, his quiet and generous 
gifts and tokens of esteem." 

M. F. Troxell, D. D. 

"We sincerely sympathize with our brethren, the missionary 
pastors and their families, in their loss of a loving brother 
and thoughtful friend, who was always tenderly considerate 
of their self-sacrificing toil and of their many privations for 
our Church's establishment and our country's evangelization, 
and who was ever watchful for opportunities to minister cheer 
and inspire hope in the heart of many a worn and disheartened 
laborer." 

M. W. Ham MA, D. D. 

A. F. Fox. 

A. Stewart Hartman, D. D. 

"We may take the work done by Dr. Barnitz as a model. 
It may be followed out to the fullest extent and nothing will 
be lost. He has indicated by his own efforts how the work 
may be done and what can be accomplished." 

Judge Peter Grosscup. 



l82 SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. 

"When shall we have another so unique, so filled with 
longings unutterable for the scattered children of the Reforma- 
tion, so thrilling in recitals of the hardships of the pioneers, 
SO' winning in all the graces that go to make up the orator." 

C. G. Heckert, D. D. 

"Up and down this land, in his work as the General 
Synod's Western Secretary of home missions. Dr. Barnitz has 
been going for years, carrying the work of the Church on his 
heart, urging the pressing claims of our great work as a 
denomination, pleading for men and means to carry it forward, 
planting and strengthening the churches, and drawing con- 
stantly upon his sensibilities in sympathy with self-denying 
missionaries." — The Lutheran World. 

"The extent of his travels and the celerity with which 
he moved from place to place, won for him the designation 
'ubiquitous.' " — The Lutheran Observer. 

"Samuel Bacon Barnitz entered upon his more public 
ministry in '6i when our country was in the throes of our 
Civil War. The young theologue was associated in Wash- 
ington with the then pastor of St. Paul's church, and now 
the editor of The Bvangelist. We need hardly say that our 
personal relations were the most cordial and the work of min- 
istering to onr 'boys in blue' was most blessed.'" 

Rev. J. G. BuTEER, D. D. 



TRIBUTES OF KSTKE^M; 183 

''The home missionaries had no warmer or more sympa- 
thetic friend than good Doctor Barnitz." 

C. W. Hkisler, D. D. 

"Dr. Barnitz was a man with a striking personality, gifted 
with a rare talent of natural eloquence, and often thrilled his 
hearers as the clarion's peal in the day of battle startles the 
soldier when it sounds the headlong charge." 

William Kelly, D. D. 

"For tv/o score years his name has been a most familiar 
one in the homes and churches of our General Synod, and the 
scores of churches which have been planted and developed 
under his guiding hand and fostering care will be his lasting 
monument." 

Dr. a. S. Hartman, in Missionary Journal. 

"Sometimes his life looks to us like one long martyrdom, lit 
indeed with joy and blessed with visions from the Lord, but 
none the less a sacrifice." 

Dr. C. S. Albert, in Augsburg Teacher. 

"In perils often, in labors abundant, almost overwhelmed 
with an extraordinary correspondence, prompt in answering 
every letter, prompt in meeting every engagement, that man's 
biography is the history of the Western home missions for 
two wonderful decades." 

G. H. ScHNUR, D. D. 



184 SAMUEt BACON BARNltZ. 

"He seemed never to forget a name, or a face, or a kind- 
ness done. And he never wearied of serving his friends. No 
wonder he was so welcome everywhere, and so many were 
ready to serve him. He was ever sowing kindness and con- 
sideration, and he reaped the same." 

Jacob A. Clutz, D. D. 

"Others may do his work efficiently, but his great charms 
of personality, and his great and tender heart for all who were 
in trouble, his endeavors always to help lighten the burdens 
of our poor, struggling missionaries, such strong characteris- 
tics are hardly to be met again in our day or generation. Yes ! 
he was truly a friend to our Woman's Work." 

Mrs. a. V. Hamma. 

"A singular coincidence, on the day of his death the 
Executive Committee had just finished reading the report of 
his late visit to California, when the message came, *Dr. 
Barnitz is dead.' This was his final report. Think you, there 
was not a pause, a silent weeping?" 

Mrs. S. F. Br^ckenridge. . 

"He was as punctual in the discharge of his duties to his 
individual church as to the church at large. He was as en- 
thusiastic in the success of his home church as in any mission 
he ever planted." 

Dr. J. A. Wirt, his Pastor. 



TRIBUTES O^ KSTe:^M. 185 

"From the struggling mission in a Western sod church, 
or third storj' in a hall, to the giant Sunday Schools of largest 
congregations up to that vast throng of thousands of children 
he and President McKinley addressed in Chicago Auditorium, 
he carried off the palm." 

F. W. E. Pechau, D. D. 

"In the East how many there are, but in the West what 
an unnumbered company, from the Great Lakes to the Golden 
Gate, in thronged city, in obscure villages, in prairie sod 
house, in mountain cabin, who can say in truth : 'I loved him — 
he was my friend." 

W. L. Seabrook, 

"The sunshine and the clouds that passed over the faces 
of the audience to whom Dr. Barnitz was telling the story 
of his work, showed how thoroughly he was reaching their 
hearts, and the offerings showed as much." 

Hon. Thos. E. Dewey. 

"In the death of Dr. Barnitz, the Lutheran Church lost 
one of her best and most able leaders. No man ever 
reached the hearts of the people as did he." 

Cornelius Eckhardt, A. M. 

"He came into hundreds of homes, as he did into ours, a 
very member of the family circle." 

Rev. S. S. Waetz, D. D. 



l86 SAMUEI. BACON BARNITZ. 

"We never came in touch with him without feeling the 
thrill of his enthusiasm. His devotion conquered the weak- 
ness of the flesh. He could not rest while there was so much 
to do. The final summons found him at work." 

Rev. W. H. Dunbar, D D. 

"Several colleges owe their establishment largely to his 
enterprise and zeal, while every department of church activity 
Vx^as indebted to his far-sighted and comprehensive enthu- 
siasm. His name, which has long been a household word 
among English Lutherans, became familiar to Swedes, Danes, 
Norwegians, and Germans, at whose conventions he was wont 
to appear." 

E. J. Wolf, D. D., LL. D., in .V. Y. Observer. 

These testimonials might have been indefinitely 
multiplied both in number and extent. Instead, there 
have been selected only these single paragraphs from 
the numerous discourses, editorials, voluntary tributes, 
resolutions and printed memorials called out by the 
death of Dr. Barnitz. They are enough to show the 
standing to which this rare man of God had attained 
after more than forty years of fidelity, consecration of 
zeal in the service of Christ and the Church. 

Memorial services were held in many churches 
East and West. At Washington, the capital, he had 
frequent entrance to all our churches. Here he had 
served in his earliest ministry, glad to be able to com- 



TribuTe:s o^ ivSTe^^m. 187 

fort those in the hospitals in the first days of the Civil 
War. In Baltimore, Philadelphia, Burlington, Sac- 
ramento, Alameda, Oakland, San Jose, all over his wide 
field they met to recount his worth, lament his loss, 
and thank God that he had lived. 



CHAPTER XXIIL 



A WOMAN S tribute:. 



The work of Dr. Barnitz brought him into con- 
stant correspondence with the Women's Home and 
Foreign Mission Society. He covered the territory on 
which so large a part of their work was done. He 
selected the fields and recommended missions as well 
as missionaries. He was actively engaged in their 
box-work, helpful in all their conventions, giving time, 
advice, addresses, securing transportation, and in all 
the ways which he so well knew, promoted every inter- 
est connected with their great and good work. 

It was eminently fitting that at their next conven- 
tion following his death they should turn aside from 
the ordinary program to spend an hour in memory of 
their cordial friend and helper. It seems fitting also 
that the action taken at that convention should be em- 
braced in the record of his services. His death seems 
to have given color to all the reports of the year. It 
entered into the addresses of welcome and was part 
of the farewell word. In the response to the address 
of welcome it was said: ''We fondly recall the name 

i88 



A woman's tribute:. 189 

of one who was nearly always with us in our Biennial 
Conventions, and who was so greatly interested in our 
work." 

The president said in her address : "How we have 
all mourned the loss of our dear Dr. Barnitz, that true 
and noble friend of the women's cause. We can pay 
him no higher tribute than to say the world is better 
for his having lived in it." The treasurer's report said : 
"How much we miss the encouragement that was al- 
ways extended by the sainted Dr. Barnitz through let- 
ters sent by Mrs. Barnitz, always hopeful and faithful 
to the cause so dear to their hearts." 

The historian's report announced the death of but 
one honorary member — ''that of the Rev. Dr. Samuel 
B. Barnitz, who belonged, in a sense, to every synodical 
society." The executive committee made touching 
reference to the last report received from Dr. Barnitz : 
"On the I2th of June, while the executive committee 
was in session, and just as the last words of his report 
were being read, the word came, 'Dr. Barnitz has 
passed away'. The last words of that report were 
'occupy, occupy, occupy.' That was his parting mes- 
sage to the executive committee, and it is his parting 
message to the Woman's Home and Foreign Mission- 
ary Society, and to the women of the Lutheran Church. 
Dr. Barnitz was active in the organization of the So- 
ciety, and he was ever the constant friend and adviser 
of the Society." 



190 SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. 

Then came the special Memorial Hour, when Mrs. 
S. F. Breckenridge made the prayer, after which Mrs. 
C. W. Maggart, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, read a beauti- 
ful tribute, from which the following extracts are 
taken : 

"The hour has arrived when we are called upon to do 
honor to the memory of one of God's noblemen. We miss the 
kindly face, the willing advice, the anxious and manifest sym- 
pathy of our friend, the Rev. Samuel Bacon Barnitz, D. D. 

It was about eighteen years ago I first met him. During the 
sixteen years of my life as a minister's wife, five and one-half 
years of which were spent in California, I have been on his 
territory. I have, therefore, been in close touch with him in 
his work, hence I am here to lay my personal tribute at his 
feet, as well as in some feeble way to pay the respect due in 
behalf of my sisters throughout the Church. It is fitting that 
Iowa should serve at this post, for Iowa was the center of his 
action for many years. While only one is called to speak, I 
am quite sure that there is a cloud of witnesses in these pews 
ready to applaud every good that may be said. . . . Do I 
hear someone say that such a life is that of the hero? Then 
I perfectly agree, and I confess that I am come here to join 
with you in the kind of hero-worship which recognizes brave 
service in the cause of humanity's elevation and betterment. 

Wherein lay the power of this mighty pioneer? The power 
of the man was the power of a great spirit, endowed with 
a great gift of free speech. A power among men because he 



A woman'§ tribute. 191 

was so much a man, with a great fund of human sympathy, 
who, when called on to furnish spiritual comfort to one in 
need, and finding the greatest need a beefsteak, would invar- 
iably supply that first. A man with a rare sense of humor, and 
a gift for illustration that charmed and delighted, while il- 
luminating every subject with which he dealt. 

His was a complex nature, dignified yet frank, bold yet 
ever respectful of the opinions and wishes of others, progres- 
sive yet conservative, firm yet tender as a woman. 

An incident under my own observation which showed this 
latter quality strikingly, was in a public service in one of our 
California missions. He had said the words which made the 
father and mother one, and they desired him to pronounce the 
words which should make the child one with the Holy Spirit 
in the baptismal vow. Accordingly, those hands always so 
ready in any service for his Lord, v/ere laid in baptismal 
benediction upon the little one's head; then reaching down to 
the child he lifted him from his mother's arms into his own, 
folding him close to his breast and kissed him. What a pic- 
ture ! Strong, dignified manhood, yet as affectionate, gentle 
and tender as a woman. 

Perhaps the dominant spirit in Dr. Barnitz was the spirit 
of self-sacrifice. He was not careful about himself when duty 
and necessity were at stake. When called to go to a remote 
field on the far-away skirmish line of the Church's interest, 
he heard the call and heeded, and alighting from the railway 
train he would board a farm wagon with no spring-seat, and 
perhaps face a blinding blizzard for two or three hours in the 



193 SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. 

most uncomfortable conditions, ^arriving at the missionary's 
home to be treated to the very best they had, which would be 
very meagre, indeed. His careful eye would take in the situa- 
tion, and this home would be marked for a place of blessing, 
and ere long, to augment the meagre salary, a well-filled box 
would find its way there, packed and loaded with comfort and 
cheer. 

. . . He never forgot his friends. Who failed to re- 
ceive his New Year's greeting? His parish was the whole 
country. . . . For perhaps fifteen years prior to his death, 
his name appeared on the parochial report of the Iowa Synod 
with his benevolence itemized. And the total was more than 
any one of half the congregations in our synods. He not only 
preached benevolence, but practiced it. . . . By education 
he was a home missionary, but far more than that, he was one 
by birth. While the training of his early ministry v/as such 
as eminently fitted him for the very important work that 
occupied his later life, we are led to believe that his life was 
providentially guarded, guided and directed for the great work 
laid to hi? hands." 



This woman's judgment was in all probability the 
correct estimate. So we have looked on his life in the 
treatment of it in these pages. So he himself looked 
on his life, always cultivating the thought that he was 
in God's hands, seeking the leading of Providence, de- 
siring to do only his Master's service in any humblest 



A woman's tribute:. 193 

place in the Kingdom. Now he has risen to the exalted 
place, and is at rest with the Master. 

"There, grief is turned to pleasure 

Such pleasure as below 
No human voice can utter, 

No human heart can know ; 
And after fleshly weakness, 

And after this world's night 
And after storm and whirlwind, 

Are calm and joy and light." 

We follow this beautiful tribute from the women 
with a graceful notice that appeared in the Memorial 
Chimes, of Topeka, Kansas, Rev. H. A. Ott, D. D., 
editor. This may be taken as typical of the feeling of 
all the men who ever served in the mission work under 
Dr. Barnitz : 

"One more of the mighty men of Israel is fallen. 
One more has taken his place among the sainted dead 
who died in the Lord, and who likewise live in the 
hearts of thousands of friends. Dr. Barnitz fell asleep 
on the morning of June 12th, just one month after he 
had passed his sixty-fourth birthday. Of late he has 
been far from being a well man. His trip to the Coast, 
to attend the late California Synod, in which Mrs. 
Barnitz accompanied him, was hard on him, and dur- 
ing which he suffered a serious collapse. After his 
return to Des Moines, every day witnessed him grow- 
ing weaker physically until the end came. 



194 samue:l bacon barnitz. 

Dr. Barnitz was born at York, Pa., May 12, 1838. 
His theological course was taken at Gettysburg. From 
1 86 1 to 1882 he was pastor at Wheeling, West Va. 
At the latter date he entered the services of the Home 
Mission Board and since then has devoted his energies 
most vigorously toward building up the Lutheran 
Church in the West. He demonstrated his fitness for 
this work as soon as he entered upon it, by his wis- 
dom, zeal, and his intelligent prosecution of the same. 
As a worker he was absolutely tireless, as hundreds of 
our Western pastors and missionaries will attest. East, 
west, north, and south he was constantly going, en- 
couraging both pastor and people, with voice and pen 
in his own happy way. For twenty-one years he 
spent large portions of each year living en route, his 
traveling effects in his great familiar grip, a load of 
itself. As a guest in a missionar3''s home he ever 
brought a ray of cheer and comfort, but after cheer- 
ful greetings and social exchanges, he was to be found 
in his room using his pen to do what voice and pres- 
ence could not do. He lived not only to see many 
churches founded in the West but whole synods estab- 
lished. He was perfectly familiar with every inch of 
the territory west of Chicago, and knew the precise 
worth of every man in the territory. We believe Dr. 
Barnitz used this knowledge faithfully and con- 
scientiously in the interests of his Board. In this 
regard it is but natural that his judgment now and 



A woman's tribute:. 195 

then should clash with that of the men concerned, 
and the doctor thus became the object of unjust cen- 
sure and criticism. All this he was able to live down 
and at the last convention of the General Synod at 
Des Moines, an ovation was given him rarely given a 
man in church circles of any denomination. 

Dr. Barnitz was a liberal supporter of the benevo- 
lences of the church. His income was conscientiously 
tithed in the interests of his own home church, Home 
and Foreign Missions, and the church benevolences 
in general. Possibly as no other churchman he has 
figured in the development of the West. Herein the 
railroads recognized his activity and worth, and hon- 
ored him accordingly, and our Board has been saved 
thousands of dollars in transportation. In his con- 
ception of Lutheranism he was conservative, loyal to 
every stand taken by the General Synod in planting 
itself soundly on the unaltered Augsburg Confession, 
yet it cannot be said he ever made his Lutheranism 
obnoxious to his brethren ; however, his influence was 
strong along these lines. 

The pen of Dr. Barnitz was mighty in the cause 
dear to his heart. Having the reputation of being the 
best known Lutheran preacher of his day, he used it 
accordingly. He made thousands of friends to mis- 
sions through his voluminous correspondence. His 
pri\'cite note-book was literally a register of names, 
names gathered from all over the land^ who were 



196 SAMUEL BACON BARNITZ. 

never permitted to forget him because he constantly 
remembered them with birthday or New Year cards 
and occasional letters. In his thoughtfiilness and tact- 
fulness as a secretary lay his largest power. As a 
speaker he was unique, with a personality somewhat 
like that of Lincoln, possessing a peculiar ability to 
tell touching incidents with which to powerfully illus- 
trate his subject. He was always an interesting man 
viewed from any standpoint. 

As a friend Dr. Barnitz was valued on every side. 
His heart was warm, sympathetic and tender, and his 
interest in those who loved him and those whom he 
loved never lagged. The moment he heard of their 
troubles or bereavements, their triumphs or successes, 
his pen was ready to weep or rejoice with them as the 
case might be, in the thoughtful message sent. The 
writer rejoiced in counting him his personal friend. 
While a missionary under the Home Board he has had 
occasion to thank the Western Secretary for many 
helpful words of encouragement and confidence. The 
correspondence then began never ceased up to the 
day of his death, one letter reaching the Doctor the day 
after his death. 

'Farewell, dear friend, a word that must be and hath been ; 
A sound which makes us linger, yet farewell.' 

Dr. Barnitz will be greatly missed at our Confer- 



A woman's tribute:. 197 

ences and our Synods ; however, his memory will ever 
linger with us like a pleasant thought. The Board of 
Home Missions will not find it an easy task to lay 
hands on a man who can take his place. Indeed, it 
will be quite impossible to find one who will be able 
to precisely fill it, for he had abilities combined in 
him rarely found within the compass of one man. 

Dr. Barnitz leaves a wife and two daughters to 
mourn his departure, and these have the warm prayers 
and true sympathy of thousands all over the Church." 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

I^INAI^E. 

Doctor Barnitz was twice married. His home life 
was an ideal fireside. The lament of his heart was that 
he could be in his home so little part of the time. His 
sense of duty was so keen that every earthly consid- 
eration was subordinate. His first wife was Eliza 
Smyser, of York, Pa. Three children were born of this 
union, Sue List Barnitz, Sarah Eliza Barnitz, and Sam- 
uel Smyser Barnitz, who died at the age of six months. 

Dr. Barnitz was married a second time, to Eliza 
Park, of Martin's Ferry, O., who now resides in Phil- 
adelphia with her son and daughter. Two sons were 
born of this second union, David Park Barnitz, who 
died at the age of twenty-three years, preceding his 
father to the heavenly rest by a few months, and Fred- 
eric Bacon Barnitz, who resides with his mother. 

The domestic and family history of Dr. Barnitz has 
been scarcely touched, since these matters belong to 
the private life into which the church has little right 
to enter. At every point Dr. Barnitz was the same 

loyal, devoted man, affectionate father, and noblest citi- 

19S 



]?iNAi.i:. 199 

zen. There is one word which might be applied to him 
with all the force of its meaning, and that is the word 
loyalty. To his friends, his family, his church, his 
missionary idea, his country, his Master, everywhere, 
he was moved by this passion. He remained single 
for several years at Wheeling, devoting all his energies 
to his mission building. When he had finally laid the 
corner-stone for God's House in November, 1868, then 
he was ready to lay the corner-stone of his own house. 
He was married the next month, in December, 1868, 
having passed his thirtieth birthday the preceding May. 

When Dr. Barnitz returned from his last missionary 
journey, to fall asleep in his own home, surrounded 
by his own beloved family, it was only too painfully 
evident that life's work was done. He also knew and 
was ready. He had been getting ready for sixty years. 
So he was not surprised at the last. 

Funeral services were held from St. John's Lutheran 
Church, Des Moines, Rev. J. A. Wirt, D. D., his pas- 
tor, having charge of the exercises. Many Lutheran 
clergymen were present, who united in a series of reso- 
lutions, the reading of which formed part of the serv- 
ice. The pallbearers were : Revs, H. L. Yarger, D. D., 
Luther M. Kuhns, L. P. Ludden, D. D., M. F. Troxell, 
D. D., R. Neumann, and F. W. Meyer. 

The address delivered on the day of the funeral, 
was (at the request of Dr. Barnitz), by Dr. M. Rhodes, 
of St Louis. Subsequently a memorial tablet was set 



200 SAMUE:iy BACON BARNITZ 

up in the church, near the pulpit, of ItaHan marble, 
>erected by the synod of Iowa. The unveiling of the 
tablet was made the occasion for a very appreciative 
service conducted by the synod which erected the tab- 
let. Doctor Yarger, Field Secretary of the Board of 
Church Extension, and Rev. W. H. Blancke, of Daven- 
port, Iowa, delivered the addresses in the morning. At 
night, Rev. C. W. Maggart, President of the Iowa 
Synod, delivered the tribute and unveiled the tablet. 
The inscription reads : "In Memory of Rev. Samuel B. 
Barnitz, D. D., Western Secretary of Home Missions 
of the General Synod, 1881-1902. Blessed are the dead 
which die in the Lord. Their works do follow them. 
Erected by the Synod of Iowa." 

So we have followed imperfectly and for but a little 
way in the steps of this man of God. He might have 
said in the very words of his Master : "The zeal of 
Thine House hath eaten me up." Once he preached 
a ringing sermon at the East Pennsylvania Synod on 
the words, "The Master is come and calleth for thee." 
It was the text of his own life. He had heard the call. 
He saw the vision, and with all his soul followed 
whither it led. 

Recently a missionary to the foreign field was 
asked, "Why do you persist in working to the breaking 
point?" The reply was such as Dr. Barnitz made al- 
ways with respect to the home field : "What is one to 
do when the need is so great and when that need must 



finale;. 20I 

be supplied ? We must work as hard as we can, and as 
long as we can, for this is a time of crisis in the his- 
tory of mission work." In that spirit he lived. In 
such a faith he died. And his works do follow him. 



THi$ e:nd. 



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